UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2014

 

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from _______________ to __________________.

 

Commission File No. 0-13660

 

Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Florida   59-2260678

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or

Organization

  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

815 COLORADO AVENUE, STUART FL   34994
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(772) 287-4000
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes x       No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

Yes x       No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large Accelerated Accelerated Non-Accelerated Small Reporting
Filer  ¨ Filer  x Filer  ¨ Company ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes ¨        No x

 

Common Stock, $.10 Par Value – 25,998,823 shares as of June 30, 2014

 

 
 

 

INDEX

 

SEACOAST BANKING CORPORATION OF FLORIDA

 

  PAGE #
       
Part I FINANCIAL INFORMATION    
       
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)    
       
 

Condensed consolidated balance sheets –
June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013

 

 

3

       
 

Condensed consolidated statements of income –
Three months and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013

 

 

4

       
  Condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income –
Three months and six ended June 30, 2014 and 2013
 

 

5

       
  Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows –
Six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013
 

 

6-7

       
  Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements   8-27
       
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations  

 28-57

     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk   58
       
Item 4. Controls and Procedures   59
       
Part II OTHER INFORMATION    
       
Item 1. Legal Proceedings   60
Item 1A. Risk Factors   60
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds   61
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities   61
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures   61
Item 5. Other Information   61
Item 6. Exhibits   62
       
SIGNATURES   63

 

2
 

 

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida and Subsidiaries

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)  2014   2013 
ASSETS        
Cash and due from banks  $40,175   $48,561 
Interest bearing deposits with other banks   113,855    143,063 
Total  cash and cash equivalents   154,030    191,624 
           
Securities:          
Available for sale (at fair value)   518,353    641,611 
Held for investment (fair value: $155,935 at June 30, 2014)   156,498    0 
Total Securities   674,851    641,611 
           
Loans held for sale   18,129    13,832 
           
Loans   1,335,192    1,304,207 
Less: Allowance for loan losses   (18,140)   (20,068)
NET LOANS   1,317,052    1,284,139 
           
Bank premises and equipment, net   34,653    34,505 
Other real estate owned   6,198    6,860 
Other intangible assets   326    718 
Other assets   88,917    95,651 
   $2,294,156   $2,268,940 
           
LIABILITIES          
Deposits  $1,805,537   $1,806,045 
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase, maturing within 30 days   141,662    151,310 
Borrowed funds   50,000    50,000 
Subordinated debt   53,610    53,610 
Other liabilities   8,908    9,371 
    2,059,717    2,070,336 
           
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Common stock, par value $0.10 per share, authorized 60,000,000 shares, issued 26,003,751 and outstanding 25,998,823 shares at June 30, 2014 and issued 23,638,373 and outstanding 23,637,434 shares at December 31, 2013   2,599    2,364 
Other shareholders' equity   231,840    196,240 
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   234,439    198,604 
   $2,294,156   $2,268,940 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3
 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)

Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida and Subsidiaries

 

   Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended 
   June 30,   June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  2014   2013   2014   2013 
Interest and fees on loans  $14,103   $14,264   $27,901   $28,291 
Interest and dividends on securities   3,638    3,025    7,084    6,227 
Interest on interest bearing deposits and other investments   246    224    514    452 
TOTAL INTEREST INCOME   17,987    17,513    35,499    34,970 
Interest on deposits   570    692    1,171    1,432 
Interest on borrowed money   692    707    1,382    1,424 
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE   1,262    1,399    2,553    2,856 
NET INTEREST INCOME   16,725    16,114    32,946    32,114 
Provision (recapture) for loan losses   (1,444)   565    (2,179)   1,518 
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER                    
PROVISION (RECAPTURE) FOR LOAN LOSSES   18,169    15,549    35,125    30,596 
Noninterest income                    
Other income   5,896    6,335    11,454    12,266 
Securities gains, net (includes net gains of $0 and $1 in other comprehensive income reclassifications for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively, and ($356) and ($394) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively).   0    114    17    139 
TOTAL NONINTEREST INCOME   5,896    6,449    11,471    12,405 
                     
TOTAL NONINTEREST EXPENSES   20,683    19,044    39,466    38,003 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES   3,382    2,954    7,130    4,998 
Provision for income taxes (includes $0 in income tax expense from reclassification items for both the three months and six months ended for 2014, respectively, and $137 and $152 for 2013, respectively)   1,464    0    2,913    0 
NET INCOME   1,918    2,954    4,217    4,998 
Preferred stock dividends and accretion of preferred stock discount   0    937    0    1,874 
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS  $1,918   $2,017   $4,217   $3,124 
                     
PER SHARE COMMON STOCK:                    
Net income diluted  $0.07   $0.11   $0.16   $0.17 
Net income basic   0.07    0.11    0.16    0.17 
Cash dividends declared   0.00    0.00    0.00    0.00 
Average shares outstanding - diluted   25,998,121    18,936,480    25,828,391    18,930,879 
Average shares outstanding - basic   25,826,825    18,794,651    25,659,159    18,792,054 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4
 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)

Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida and Subsidiaries

 

   Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended 
   June 30,   June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands)  2014   2013   2014   2013 
NET INCOME  $1,918   $2,954   $4,217   $4,998 
Other comprehensive income:                    
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available for sale   9,626    (12,490)   13,932    (13,805)
Unrealized (losses) on securities that were transferred to securities held for investment, net   (3,137)   0    (3,137)   0 
Unrealized gains on transfer of securities held for investment into securities available for sale   0    0    0    724 
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in net income   0    (356)   1    (394)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes   (2,505)   4,959    (4,168)   5,201 
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)  $5,902   $(4,933)  $10,845   $(3,276)

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5
 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida and Subsidiaries

 

   Six Months Ended 
   June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands)  2014   2013 
Cash flows from operating activities          
Interest received  $36,653   $36,991 
Fees and commissions received   10,959    11,614 
Interest paid   (2,573)   (2,887)
Cash paid to suppliers and employees   (38,448)   (30,352)
Origination of loans held for sale   (85,424)   (120,188)
Proceeds from loans held for sale   81,127    130,180 
Net change in other assets   484    1,712 
Net cash provided by operating activities   2,778    27,070 
Cash flows from investing activities          
Maturity of securities available for sale   45,851    91,770 
Maturity of securities held for investment   2,270    0 
Proceeds from sale of securities available for sale   4,061    55,519 
Purchase of securities available for sale   (75,785)   (168,355)
Net new loans and principal repayments   (32,433)   (45,601)
Proceeds from the sale of other real estate owned   2,215    3,448 
Proceeds from sale of Federal Home Loan Bank and          
Federal Reserve Bank stock   600    620 
Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank and          
Federal Reserve Bank stock   0    (61)
Additions to bank premises and equipment   (1,713)   (1,904)
Net cash used in investing activities   (54,934)   (64,564)
Cash flows from financing activities          
Net decrease in deposits   (508)   (20,352)
Net increase (decrease) in federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements   (9,648)   24,131 
Issuance of common stock, net of related expense   24,637    0 
Stock based employee benefit plans   81    97 
Dividends paid on preferred shares   0    (1,250)
Net cash provided by financing activities   14,562    2,626 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (37,594)   (34,868)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   191,624    174,987 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $154,030   $140,119 

 

6
 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued) (Unaudited)

Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida and Subsidiaries

 

   Six Months Ended 
   June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands)  2014   2013 
Reconciliation of net income to cash provided by operating activities          
Net income  $4,217   $4,998 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation   1,576    1,340 
Amortization of premiums and discounts on securities, net   963    2,498 
Other amortization and accretion, net   545    51 
Change in loans held for sale, net   (4,297)   9,992 
Provision (recapture) for loan losses   (2,179)   1,518 
Gain on sale of securities   (17)   (139)
Gain on sale of loans   (668)   (802)
Losses on sale and write-downs of other real estate owned   145    1,066 
Losses on disposition of fixed assets   (10)   (2)
Change in interest receivable   38    (136)
Change in interest payable   (20)   (31)
Change in prepaid expenses   (408)   4,527 
Change in accrued taxes   3,150    372 
Change in other assets   484    1,712 
Change in other liabilities   (741)   106 
Net cash provided by operating activities  $2,778   $27,070 
           
Supplemental disclosure of non cash investing activities:          
Fair value adjustment to AFS securities  $13,895   $(13,476)
Transfer from loans to other real estate owned   1,658    2,624 
Matured securities recorded as a receivable   372    2,413 
Purchase of securities on trade date   0    9,961 
Transfer from securities held for investment to securities available for sale   0    13,818 
Transfer from securities available for sale to securities held for investment   158,781    0 

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

7
 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

SEACOAST BANKING CORPORATION OF FLORIDA AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTE A — BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U. S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U. S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the six-month period ended June 30, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014 or any other period. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements required the use of certain estimates by management in determining the Company’s assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Specific areas, among others, requiring the application of management’s estimates include determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of investment securities available for sale, fair value of impaired loans, contingent liabilities, fair value of other real estate owned, and the valuation of deferred tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

NOTE B — RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS, Not adopted as of June 30, 2014

 

Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-01- Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects – In January 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-01. This update provides guidance to investors in affordable housing projects that qualify for the low-income housing credit. The ASU will allow investors, in certain cases, to qualify for the use of the effective yield method of accounting in lieu of the equity method or the cost method. The new standard deems that investors should disclose information which allows users of its financial statements to understand this type of investment and the risks involved, including the related tax credits.

 

The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt the methodologies prescribed by this ASU by the date required, and is currently analyzing the effects the ASU will have on its financial position and results of operations.

 

Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-04- Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure – In January 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-04. This amendment is intended to reduce diversity in practice by clarifying when an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and when a creditor should be considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property. The Update also defines when the accounting change for the loan should take place.

 

8
 

 

The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt the methodologies prescribed by this ASU by the date required, and does not anticipate that the ASU will have a material effect on its financial position or results of operations.

 

Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09- Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09. The ASU is a converged standard between the FASB and the IASB that provides a single comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers across transactions and industries. The primary objective of the ASU is revenue recognition that represents the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently assessing the impact of adoption of ASU 2014-09.

 

Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-11- Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-11. This ASU requires secured borrowing accounting treatment for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and provides guidance on accounting for repurchase financing arrangements. This ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this ASU will result in additional disclosures, but is not expected to impact significantly the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-12- Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12. This ASU requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition and should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. This ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 with earlier adoption permitted. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to impact significantly the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

NOTE C — BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

 

Equivalent shares of 502,000 and 88,000 related to stock options, and stock settled appreciation rights for each of the periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS because they would have been anti-dilutive.

 

9
 

 

   Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended 
   June 30,   June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  2014   2013   2014   2013 
Basic:                    
Net income available to common shareholders  $1,918   $2,017   $4,217   $3,124 
Average basic shares outstanding   25,826,825    18,794,651    25,659,159    18,792,054 
Basic earnings per share  $0.07   $0.11   $0.16   $0.17 
                     
Diluted:                    
Net income available to common shareholders  $1,918   $2,017   $4,217   $3,124 
Average basic shares outstanding   25,826,825    18,794,651    25,659,159    18,792,054 
Employee restricted stock   171,296    141,829    169,232    138,825 
Average diluted shares outstanding   25,998,121    18,936,480    25,828,391    18,930,879 
Diluted earnings per share  $0.07   $0.11   $0.16   $0.17 

 

NOTE D — SECURITIES

 

The amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale and held for investment at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are summarized as follows:

 

10
 

 

   June 30, 2014 
   Gross   Gross   Gross     
   Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized   Fair 
(Dollars in thousands)  Cost   Gains   Losses   Value 
SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE                    
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government Sponsored Entities  $100   $0   $0   $100 
Mortgage-backed securities of U.S. Government Sponsored Entities   104,837    2,192    (512)   106,517 
Collateralized mortgage obligations of U.S. Government Sponsored Entities   272,160    785    (6,586)   266,359 
Private mortgage backed securities   29,876    276    0    30,152 
Private collateralized mortgage obligations   75,907    1,021    (236)   76,692 
Collateralized loan obligations   32,658    0    (398)   32,260 
Obligations of state and political subdivisions   5,767    506    0    6,273 
   $521,305   $4,780   $(7,732)  $518,353 
                     
SECURITIES HELD FOR INVESTMENT                    
Collateralized mortgage obligations of U.S. Government Sponsored Entities  $109,734   $46   $(778)  $109,002 
Mortgage-backed securities of U.S. Government Sponsored Entities   46,764    169    0    46,933 
   $156,498   $215   $(778)  $155,935 

 

11
 

 

   December 31, 2013 
   Gross   Gross   Gross     
   Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized   Fair 
(Dollars in thousands)  Cost   Gains   Losses   Value 
SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE                    
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations  of U.S. Government Sponsored Entities  $100   $0   $0   $100 
Mortgage-backed securities of U.S.  Government Sponsored Entities   129,468    1,456    (4,189)   126,735 
Collateralized mortgage obligations of  U.S. Government Sponsored Entities   383,392    776    (14,747)   369,421 
Private mortgage backed securities   29,800    0    (226)   29,574 
Private collateralized mortgage obligations   76,520    731    (413)   76,838 
Collateralized loan obligations   32,592    0    (413)   32,179 
Obligations of state and political subdivisions   6,586    193    (15)   6,764 
   $658,458   $3,156   $(20,003)  $641,611 

 

Proceeds from sales of securities during the six month period ended June 30, 2014 were $4,061,000 with gross gains of $17,000 and no gross losses. Proceeds from sales of securities during the six month period ended June 30, 2013 were $55,519,000 with gross gains of $496,000 and gross losses of $357,000.

 

On May 31, 2014 management identified $158.8 million of investment securities available for sale and transferred them to held for investment. The unrealized holding losses at the date of transfer totaled $3.0 million.

 

The securities that were transferred into the held for investment category from the available for sale category, the unrealized holding losses at the date of the transfer will continue to be reported in other comprehensive income, and will be amortized over the remaining life of the security as an adjustment of yield in a manner consistent with the amortization of a discount. The amortization of unrealized holding losses reported in equity will offset the effect on interest income of the amortization of the discount.

  

Securities with a carrying value of $97,858,000 and $97,740,000, respectively, at June 30, 2014 were pledged as collateral for United States Treasury deposits, and other public and trust deposits. Securities with a carrying value of $179,415,000 and $179,056,000, respectively, were pledged as collateral for repurchase agreements.

 

The amortized cost and fair value of securities at June 30, 2014, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or repay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

12
 

 

   Held for Investment   Available for Sale 
   Amortized   Fair   Amortized   Fair 
(Dollars in thousands)  Cost   Value   Cost   Value 
Due in less than one year  $0   $0   $0   $0 
Due after one year through five years   0    0    541    550 
Due after five years  through ten years   0    0    8,054    7,945 
Due after ten years   0    0    29,930    30,138 
    0    0    38,525    38,633 
Mortgage-backed securities of U.S. Government  Sponsored Entities   46,764    46,933    104,837    106,517 
Collateralized mortgage obligations of U.S. Government Sponsored Entities   109,734    109,002    272,160    266,359 
Private mortgage backed securities   0    0    29,876    30,152 
Private collateralized mortgage obligations   0    0    75,907    76,692 
No contractual maturity   0    0    0    0 
   $156,498   $155,935   $521,305   $518,353 

 

The estimated fair value of a security is determined based on market quotations when available or, if not available, by using quoted market prices for similar securities, pricing models or discounted cash flows analyses, using observable market data where available. The tables below indicate the amount of securities with unrealized losses and period of time for which these losses were outstanding at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

13
 

 

   June 30, 2014 
   Less than 12 months   12 months or longer   Total 
   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized 
(Dollars in thousands)  Value   Losses   Value   Losses   Value   Losses 
Mortgage-backed securities of U.S. Government   Sponsored Entities  $0   $0   $29,537   $(512)  $29,537   $(512)
Collateralized mortgage obligations of  U.S. Government   Sponsored Entities   126,407    (778)   165,892    (6,586)   292,299    (7,364)
Private collaterlized  mortgage obligations   7,043    (105)   11,626    (131)   18,669    (236)
Collateralized loan obligations   22,598    (229)   9,663    (169)   32,261    (398)
Total temporarily impaired securities  $156,048   $(1,112)  $216,718   $(7,398)  $372,766   $(8,510)

 

   December 31, 2013 
   Less than 12 months   12 months or longer   Total 
   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized 
(Dollars in thousands)  Value   Losses   Value   Losses   Value   Losses 
Mortgage-backed securities of U.S. Government   Sponsored Entities  $33,425   $(2,045)  $35,043   $(2,144)  $68,468   $(4,189)
Collateralized mortgage obligations of  U.S. Government   Sponsored Entities   287,312    (12,450)   45,657    (2,297)   332,969    (14,747)
Private mortage backed securities   29,573    (226)   0    0    29,573    (226)
Private collateralized mortgage obligations   47,653    (413)   0    0    47,653    (413)
Collateralized loan obligations   32,179    (413)   0    0    32,179    (413)
Obligations of state and political subdivisions   502    (14)   0    (1)   502    (15)
Total temporarily impaired securities  $430,644   $(15,561)  $80,700   $(4,442)  $511,344   $(20,003)

 

At June 30, 2014, approximately $0.2 million of the unrealized losses pertain to private label securities secured by collateral originated in 2005 and prior. Their fair value is $18.7 million and is attributable to a combination of factors, including relative changes in interest rates since the time of purchase and decreased liquidity for these investment securities in general. The collateral underlying these mortgage investments are 30- and 15-year fixed and 10/1 adjustable rate mortgage loans with low loan to values, subordination and historically have had minimal foreclosures and losses. Based on its assessment of these factors, management believes that the unrealized losses on these debt security holdings are a function of changes in investment spreads and interest rate movements and not changes in credit quality. Management expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of these securities.

 

14
 

 

At June 30, 2014, the Company also had $7.8 million of unrealized losses on collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage backed securities of government sponsored entities having a fair value of $321.8 million that were attributable to a combination of factors, including relative changes in interest rates since the time of purchase. The contractual cash flows for these securities are guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and U.S. government-sponsored enterprises. Based on its assessment of these factors, management believes that the unrealized losses on these debt security holdings are a function of changes in investment spreads and interest movements and not changes in credit quality. Management expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of these securities.

 

At June 30, 2014, the Company also had $0.4 million of unrealized losses on collateralized loan obligations having a fair value of $32.3 million that were attributable to a combination of factors, including relative changes in interest rates since the time of purchase. Based on its assessment of these factors, management believes that the unrealized losses on these debt security holdings are a function of changes in investment spreads and interest movements and not changes in credit quality. Management expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of these securities.

 

As of June 30, 2014, management does not intend to sell securities that are in unrealized loss positions and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these securities before recovery of the amortized cost basis. Therefore, management does not consider any investment to be other-than-temporarily impaired at June 30, 2014.

 

Included in other assets is $11.7 million of Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank stock stated at par value. At June 30, 2014, the Company has not identified events or changes in circumstances which may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the $11.7 million of cost method investment securities.

 

NOTE E — LOANS

 

Information relating to loans is summarized as follows:

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
(Dollars in thousands)  2014   2013 
Construction and land development  $57,393   $67,450 
Commercial real estate   538,217    520,382 
Residential real estate   606,796    592,746 
Commercial and financial   87,285    78,636 
Consumer   45,241    44,713 
Other loans   260    280 
NET LOAN BALANCES  $1,335,192   $1,304,207 

 

(1)Net loan balances as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are net of deferred costs of $2,949,000 and $2,618,000, respectively.

 

15
 

 

The following table presents the contractual aging of the recorded investment in past due loans by class of loans as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

June 30, 2014                        
           Accruing             
   Accruing   Accruing   Greater           Total 
   30-59 Days   60-89 Days   Than           Financing 
(Dollars in thousands)  Past Due   Past Due   90 Days   Nonaccrual   Current   Receivables 
Construction & land development  $0   $0   $0   $1,023   $56,370   $57,393 
Commercial real estate   1,634    449    0    3,752    532,382    538,217 
Residential real estate   420    82    0    16,507    589,787    606,796 
Commercial and financial   66    0    0    10    87,209    87,285 
Consumer   45    26    0    453    44,717    45,241 
Other   0    0    0    0    260    260 
Total  $2,165   $557   $0   $21,745   $1,310,725   $1,335,192 

 

December 31, 2013                        
           Accruing             
   Accruing   Accruing   Greater           Total 
   30-59 Days   60-89 Days   Than           Financing 
(Dollars in thousands)  Past Due   Past Due   90 Days   Nonaccrual   Current   Receivables 
Construction & land development  $3   $0   $0   $1,302   $66,145   $67,450 
Commercial real estate   684    345    0    5,111    514,242    520,382 
Residential real estate   974    909    160    20,705    569,998    592,746 
Commercial and financial   353    0    0    13    78,270    78,636 
Consumer   33    27    0    541    44,112    44,713 
Other   0    0    0    0    280    280 
Total  $2,047   $1,281   $160   $27,672   $1,273,047   $1,304,207 

 

The Company utilizes an internal asset classification system as a means of reporting problem and potential problem loans. Under the Company’s risk rating system, the Company classifies problem and potential problem loans as “Special Mention,” “Substandard,” and “Doubtful” and these loans are monitored on an ongoing basis. Substandard loans include those characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Loans classified as substandard may require a specific allowance, but generally does not exceed 30% of the principal balance. Loans classified as Doubtful, have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified Substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. The principal balance of loans classified as doubtful are generally charged off. Loans that do not currently expose the Company to sufficient risk to warrant classification in one of the aforementioned categories, but possess weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention are deemed to be Special Mention. Risk ratings are updated any time the situation warrants.

  

16
 

 

Loans not meeting the criteria above are considered to be pass-rated loans and risk grades are recalculated at least annually by the loan relationship manager.  The following tables present the risk category of loans by class of loans based on the most recent analysis performed as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

June 30, 2014                        
   Construction           Commercial         
   & Land   Commercial   Residential   and   Consumer     
(Dollars in thousands)  Development   Real Estate   Real Estate   Financial   Loans   Total 
Pass  $53,595   $507,606   $574,638   $87,048   $43,849   $1,266,736 
Special mention   542    2,826    309    19    304    4,000 
Substandard   0    12,575    1,399    58    522    14,554 
Doubtful   0    0    0    0    0    0 
Nonaccrual   1,023    3,752    16,507    10    453    21,745 
Pass-Troubled debt restructures   1,710    5,480    24    0    0    7,214 
Troubled debt restructures   523    5,978    13,919    150    373    20,943 
   $57,393   $538,217   $606,796   $87,285   $45,501   $1,335,192 

 

December 31, 2013                        
   Construction           Commercial         
   & Land   Commercial   Residential   and   Consumer     
(Dollars in thousands)  Development   Real Estate   Real Estate   Financial   Loans   Total 
Pass  $63,186   $485,268   $554,681   $77,840   $43,267   $1,224,242 
Special mention   583    6,810    824    382    300    8,899 
Substandard   0    15,886    1,670    248    453    18,257 
Doubtful   0    0    0    0    0    0 
Nonaccrual   1,302    5,111    20,705    13    541    27,672 
Pass-Troubled debt restructures   1,838    5,584    30    0    0    7,452 
Troubled debt restructures   541    1,723    14,836    153    432    17,685 
   $67,450   $520,382   $592,746   $78,636   $44,993   $1,304,207 

 

NOTE F — IMPAIRED LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

 

During the six months ending June 30, 2014 and 2013, newly identified troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) totaled $5.3 million and $5.7 million, respectively. Loans that are modified, but where full collection under the modified terms is doubtful are classified as nonaccrual loans from the date of modification.

 

The Company’s TDR concessions granted generally do not include forgiveness of principal balances. Loan modifications are not reported in calendar years after modification if the loans were modified at an interest rate equal to the yields of new loan originations with comparable risk and the loans are performing based on the terms of the restructuring agreements.

 

When a loan is modified as a TDR, there is not a direct, material impact on the loans within the Consolidated Balance Sheet, as principal balances are generally not forgiven. Most loans prior to modification were classified as an impaired loan and the allowance for loan losses is determined in accordance with Company policy.

 

17
 

 

The following table presents loans that were modified within the six months ending June 30, 2014:

 

       Pre-   Post-         
       Modification   Modification         
   Number   Outstanding   Outstanding   Specific   Valuation 
(Dollars in thousands)  of   Recorded   Recorded   Reserve   Allowance 
Troubled Debt Restructurings Modified  Contracts   Investment   Investment   Recorded   Recorded 
Residential real estate   3   $601   $564   $0   $37 
Commercial real estate   1    4,300    3,975    0    325 
    4   $4,901   $4,539   $0   $362 

 

No accruing loans that were restructured within the twelve months preceding June 30, 2014 defaulted during the six months ended June 30, 2014. The Company considers a loan to have defaulted when it becomes 90 days or more delinquent under the modified terms, has been transferred to nonaccrual status, or has been transferred to other real estate owned.

 

As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company’s recorded investment in impaired loans and the related valuation allowance were as follows:

 

   June 30, 2014 
       Unpaid   Related 
   Recorded   Principal   Valuation 
(Dollars in thousands)  Investment   Balance   Allowance 
Impaired Loans with No Related Allowance Recorded:               
Construction and land development  $2,209   $2,673   $0 
Commercial real estate   3,125    4,677    0 
Residential real estate   10,023    14,051    0 
Commercial and financial   150    150    0 
Consumer   281    324    0 
Impaired Loans with an Allowance Recorded:               
Construction and land development   1,047    1,432    311 
Commercial real estate   12,085    12,187    815 
Residential real estate   20,427    21,450    3,440 
Commercial and financial   10    10    10 
Consumer   545    599    117 
Total:               
Construction and land development   3,256    4,105    311 
Commercial real estate   15,210    16,864    815 
Residential real estate   30,450    35,501    3,440 
Commercial and financial   160    160    10 
Consumer   826    923    117 
   $49,902   $57,553   $4,693 

 

18
 

 

   December 31, 2013 
       Unpaid   Related 
   Recorded   Principal   Valuation 
(Dollars in thousands)  Investment   Balance   Allowance 
Impaired Loans with No Related Allowance Recorded:               
Construction and land development  $2,561   $3,180   $0 
Commercial real estate   4,481    6,577    0 
Residential real estate   12,366    17,372    0 
Commercial and financial   153    153    0 
Consumer   425    569    0 
Impaired Loans with an Allowance Recorded:               
Construction and land development   1,120    1,197    149 
Commercial real estate   7,937    8,046    638 
Residential real estate   23,365    24,766    4,528 
Commercial and financial   13    13    13 
Consumer   548    573    118 
Total:               
Construction and land development   3,681    4,377    149 
Commercial real estate   12,418    14,623    638 
Residential real estate   35,731    42,138    4,528 
Commercial and financial   166    166    13 
Consumer   973    1,142    118 
   $52,969   $62,446   $5,446 

 

19
 

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s average recorded investments in impaired loans and related interest income were as follows:

 

   Six Months Ended   Six Months Ended 
   June 30, 2014   June 30, 2013 
   Average   Interest   Average   Interest 
   Recorded   Income   Recorded   Income 
(Dollars in thousands)  Investment   Recognized   Investment   Recognized 
Impaired Loans with No Related Allowance                
Recorded:                    
Construction & land development  $2,196   $51   $2,216   $50 
Commercial real estate   2,394    7    9,194    18 
Residential real estate   12,333    7    15,084    10 
Commercial and financial   76    5    0    0 
Consumer   345    0    142    1 
Impaired Loans with an Allowance Recorded:               
Construction & land development   1,311    12    1,547    19 
Commercial real estate   9,853    361    24,115    274 
Residential real estate   22,215    251    23,418    286 
Commercial and financial   88    0    0    0 
Consumer   541    10    586    11 
Total:                    
Construction & land development   3,507    63    3,763    69 
Commercial real estate   12,247    368    33,309    292 
Residential real estate   34,548    258    38,502    296 
Commercial and financial   164    5    0    0 
Consumer   886    10    728    12 
   $51,352   $704   $76,302   $669 

 

Impaired loans also include loans that have been modified in troubled debt restructurings where concessions to borrowers who experienced financial difficulties have been granted. At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, accruing TDRs totaled $28.2 million and $25.1 million, respectively.

 

Interest payments received on impaired loans are recorded as interest income unless collection of the remaining recorded investment is doubtful at which time payments received are recorded as reductions to principal. For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded $704,000 and $669,000, respectively, in interest income on impaired loans.

 

For impaired loans whose impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows, a total of $141,000 and $799,000, respectively, was included in interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, and represents the change in present value attributable to the passage of time.

 

20
 

 

Activity in the allowance for loan losses for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2014 is summarized as follows:

 

   Allowance for Loan Losses for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2014 
       Provision           Net     
   Beginning   for Loan   Charge-       (Charge-offs)   Ending 
(Dollars in thousands)  Balance   Losses   Offs   Recoveries   /Recoveries   Balance 
Construction & land development  $796   $240   $(196)  $27   $(169)  $867 
Commercial real estate   6,753    (1,528)   (50)   18    (32)   5,193 
Residential real estate   10,358    (32)   (95)   400    305    10,631 
Commercial and financial   853    (167)   0    23    23    709 
Consumer   712    43    (40)   25    (15)   740 
   $19,472   $(1,444)  $(381)  $493   $112   $18,140 

 

   Allowance for Loan Losses for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2014 
       Provision           Net     
   Beginning   for Loan   Charge-       (Charge-offs)   Ending 
(Dollars in thousands)  Balance   Losses   Offs   Recoveries   /Recoveries   Balance 
Construction & land development  $808   $204   $(199)  $54   $(145)  $867 
Commercial real estate   6,160    (1,087)   (134)   254    120    5,193 
Residential real estate   11,659    (1,410)   (207)   589    382    10,631 
Commercial and financial   710    53    (108)   54    (54)   709 
Consumer   731    61    (97)   45    (52)   740 
   $20,068   $(2,179)  $(745)  $996   $251   $18,140 

 

Activity in the allowance for loan losses for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2013 is summarized as follows:

 

   Allowance for Loan Losses for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2013 
       Provision           Net     
   Beginning   for Loan   Charge-       (Charge-offs)   Ending 
(Dollars in thousands)  Balance   Losses   Offs   Recoveries   /Recoveries   Balance 
Construction & land development  $1,108   $(26)  $(223)  $18   $(205)  $877 
Commercial real estate   8,448    (427)   (1,517)   221    (1,296)   6,725 
Residential real estate   10,722    1,107    (826)   150    (676)   11,153 
Commercial and financial   558    (193)   0    198    198    563 
Consumer   704    104    (52)   4    (48)   760 
   $21,540   $565   $(2,618)  $591   $(2,027)  $20,078 

 

   Allowance for Loan Losses for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2013 
       Provision           Net     
   Beginning   for Loan   Charge-       (Charge-offs)   Ending 
(Dollars in thousands)  Balance   Losses   Offs   Recoveries   /Recoveries   Balance 
Construction & land development  $1,134   $167   $(557)  $133   $(424)  $877 
Commercial real estate   8,849    (378)   (2,046)   300    (1,746)   6,725 
Residential real estate   11,090    1,588    (1,772)   247    (1,525)   11,153 
Commercial and financial   468    (123)   (60)   278    218    563 
Consumer   563    264    (79)   12    (67)   760 
   $22,104   $1,518   $(4,514)  $970   $(3,544)  $20,078 

 

21
 

 

The allowance for loan losses is composed of specific allowances for certain impaired loans and general allowances grouped into loan pools based on similar characteristics. The Company’s loan portfolio and related allowance at June 30, 2014 and 2013 is shown in the following tables:

 

   At June 30, 2014 
   Individually Evaluated for   Collectively Evaluated for         
   Impairment   Impairment   Total 
   Carrying   Associated   Carrying   Associated   Carrying   Associated 
(Dollars in thousands)  Value   Allowance   Value   Allowance   Value   Allowance 
Construction & land development  $3,256   $311   $54,137   $556   $57,393   $867 
Commercial real estate   15,210    815    523,007    4,378    538,217    5,193 
Residential real estate   30,450    3,440    576,346    7,191    606,796    10,631 
Commercial and financial   160    10    87,125    699    87,285    709 
Consumer   826    117    44,675    623    45,501    740 
   $49,902   $4,693   $1,285,290   $13,447   $1,335,192   $18,140 

 

   At June 30, 2013 
   Individually Evaluated for   Collectively Evaluated for         
   Impairment   Impairment   Total     
   Carrying   Associated   Carrying   Associated   Carrying   Associated 
(Dollars in thousands)  Value   Allowance   Value   Allowance   Value   Allowance 
Construction & land development  $3,848   $175   $57,268   $702   $61,116   $877 
Commercial real estate   21,156    1,054    492,442    5,671    513,598    6,725 
Residential real estate   37,162    4,006    544,216    7,147    581,378    11,153 
Commercial and financial   0    0    65,224    563    65,224    563 
Consumer   712    124    43,865    636    44,577    760 
   $62,878   $5,359   $1,203,015   $14,719   $1,265,893   $20,078 

 

NOTE G — INCOME TAXES

 

Management expects to realize the $59.8 million in net deferred tax assets well in advance of the statutory carryforward period. At June 30, 2014, approximately $9.7 million of existing deferred tax assets are not related to net operating losses or credits and therefore, have no expiration date. Approximately $41.1 million of the remaining deferred tax assets relate to federal net operating losses which will expire in annual installments beginning in 2029 through 2032. Additionally, approximately $7.7 million of the deferred tax assets relate to state net operating losses which will expire in annual installments beginning in 2027 through 2032. Tax credit carryforwards at June 30, 2014 include federal alternative minimum tax credits totaling $1.3 million which have an unlimited carryforward period.

 

A valuation allowance could be required in future periods based on the assessment of the positive and negative evidence. Management’s conclusion at June 30, 2014 that it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets of $59.8 million will be realized is based upon management’s estimate of future taxable income. Management’s estimate of future taxable income is based on internal projections which consider historical performance, various internal estimates and assumptions, as well as certain external data all of which management believes to be reasonable although inherently subject to significant judgment. If actual results differ significantly from the current estimates of future taxable income, even if caused by adverse macro-economic conditions, a valuation allowance may need to be recorded for some or all of the Company’s deferred tax assets. Such an increase to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

 

22
 

 

The effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2014 was higher than first quarter 2014 due to merger related expenses that are not deductible for tax purposes. The effective rate for the last six months of 2014 is expected to be approximately 40.9 percent.

 

NOTE H — EQUITY CAPITAL

 

The Company is well capitalized for bank regulatory purposes. To be categorized as well capitalized, the Company must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth under “Capital Resources” in this Report. At June 30, 2014, the Company’s principal subsidiary, Seacoast National Bank, or “Seacoast National”, met the risk-based capital and leverage ratio requirements for well capitalized banks under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.

 

The Company’s Series A Preferred Stock with a par value of $0.10 per share and totaling $50 million was fully redeemed at December 31, 2013. During the first six months of 2013 dividends of five percent or $1,250,000 were remitted to holders of the Series A Preferred Stock.

 

The Company closed on an additional $25 million in common equity in January 2014 related to a fourth quarter 2013 capital offering.

 

NOTE I — CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company and its subsidiaries, because of the nature of their businesses, are at all times subject to numerous legal actions, threatened or filed. Management presently believes that none of the legal proceedings to which it is a party are likely to have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, operating results or cash flows, although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of any such claim or litigation.

 

NOTE J — FAIR VALUE

In certain circumstances, fair value enables the Company to more accurately align its financial performance with the market value of actively traded or hedged assets and liabilities. Fair values enable a company to mitigate the non-economic earnings volatility caused from financial assets and financial liabilities being carried at different bases of accounting, as well as to more accurately portray the active and dynamic management of a company’s balance sheet. ASC 820 provides additional guidance for estimating fair value when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability has significantly decreased. In addition, it includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. Under ASC 820, fair value measurements for items measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis at June 30, 2014 and 2013 included:

 

23
 

 

       Quoted Prices         
       in Active   Significant     
       Markets for   Other   Significant 
       Identical   Observable   Unobservable 
   Fair Value   Assets   Inputs   Inputs 
(Dollars in thousands)  Measurements   (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3) 
June 30, 2014                    
Available for sale securities (3)  $518,353   $100   $518,253   $0 
Loans available for sale (4)   18,129    0    18,129    0 
Loans (1)   11,678    0    9,035    2,643 
Other real estate owned (2)   6,198    0    1,243    4,955 
                     
June 30, 2013                    
Available for sale securities (3)  $672,809   $101   $672,708   $0 
Loans available for sale (4)   26,029    0    26,029    0 
Loans (1)   20,691    0    11,048    9,643 
Other real estate owned (2)   10,063    0    2,022    8,041 

 

 

(1)See Note F. Nonrecurring fair value adjustments to loans identified as impaired reflect full or partial write-downs that are based on the loan’s observable market price or current appraised value of the collateral in accordance with ASC 310.
(2)Fair value is measured on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with ASC 360.
(3)See Note D for further detail of fair value of individual investment categories.
(4)Recurring fair value basis determined using observable market data.

 

The fair value of impaired loans which are not troubled debt restructurings is based on recent real estate appraisals less estimated costs of sale. For residential real estate impaired loans, appraised values or internal evaluation are based on the comparative sales approach. These impaired loans are considered level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. For commercial and commercial real estate impaired loans, evaluations may use either a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches, such as comparative sales, cost and/or income approach. A significant unobservable input in the income approach is the estimated capitalization rate for a given piece of collateral. At June 30, 2014 the range of capitalization rates utilized to determine fair value of the underlying collateral averaged approximately 8.5 percent. Adjustments to comparable sales may be made by an appraiser to reflect local market conditions or other economic factors and may result in changes in the fair value of an asset over time. As such, the fair value of these impaired loans is considered level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Fair value of securities available for sale and held for investment are determined using valuation techniques for individual investments as described in Note D.

 

When appraisals are used to determine fair value and the appraisals are based on a market approach, the fair value of other real estate owned (“OREO”) is classified as a level 2 input. When the fair value of OREO is based on appraisals which require significant adjustments to market-based valuation inputs or apply an income approach based on unobservable cash flows, OREO is classified as Level 3 inputs.

 

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Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized on the actual date of the event or circumstances that caused the transfer, which generally coincides with the Company’s monthly and/or quarterly valuation process.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2014, there were no transfers between level 1 and level 2 assets carried at fair value.

 

For loans classified as level 3 the transfers totaled $0.5 million for the first six months of 2014, consisting of loans that became impaired during 2014. Transfers out consisted of foreclosures migrating to OREO of $0.5 million, including principal payments totaling $3.6 million and other reductions totaling $0.8 million. No sales were recorded.

 

Charge-offs recognized upon loan foreclosures are generally offset by general or specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses and generally do not, and did not during the reported periods, significantly impact the Company’s provision for loan losses.

 

For OREO classified as level 3 during the first six months of 2014, foreclosed loans transferred in totaled $0.7 million. Transfers out totaled $1.3 million, consisting of sales of $1.1 million and valuation write-downs of $0.2 million.

 

The carrying amount and fair value of the Company’s other significant financial instruments that are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the balance sheet as of June 30, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:

 

       Quoted Prices         
       in Active   Significant     
       Markets for   Other   Significant 
       Identical   Observable   Unobservable 
   Carrying   Assets   Inputs   Inputs 
(Dollars in thousands)  Amount   (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3) 
At June 30, 2014                    
Financial Assets                    
Held to maturity securities (1)  $156,498   $0   $155,935   $0 
Loans, net   1,305,374    0    0    1,310,084 
Financial Liabilities                    
Deposit liabilities   1,805,537    0    0    1,806,162 
Borrowings   50,000    0    53,423    0 
Subordinated debt   53,610    0    42,888    0 
                     
At June 30, 2013                    
Financial Assets                    
Loans, net  $1,225,124   $0   $0   $1,232,114 
Financial Liabilities                    
Deposit liabilities   1,738,609    0    0    1,740,102 
Borrowings   50,000    0    54,303    0 
Subordinated debt   53,610    0    37,527    0 

 

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(1) See Note D for further detail of fair value of individual investment categories.

 

The short maturity of Seacoast’s assets and liabilities results in having a significant number of financial instruments whose fair value equals or closely approximates carrying value. Such financial instruments are reported in the following balance sheet captions: cash and cash equivalents, interest bearing deposits with other banks, federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreement to repurchase, maturing within 30 days.

 

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument for which it is practicable to estimate that value at June 30, 2014 and 2013:

 

Securities: U.S. Treasury securities are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs. Other securities classified as available for sale are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things.

 

The Company reviews the prices supplied by the independent pricing service, as well as their underlying pricing methodologies, for reasonableness and to ensure such prices are aligned with traditional pricing matrices. In general, the Company does not purchase investment portfolio securities that are esoteric or that have a complicated structure. The Company’s entire portfolio consists of traditional investments, nearly all of which are U.S. Treasury obligations, federal agency bullet or mortgage pass-through securities, or general obligation or revenue based municipal bonds. Pricing for such instruments is fairly generic and is easily obtained. From time to time, the Company will validate, on a sample basis, prices supplied by the independent pricing service by comparison to prices obtained from third-party sources or derived using internal models.

 

Loans: Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type such as commercial, mortgage, etc. Each loan category is further segmented into fixed and adjustable rate interest terms and by performing and nonperforming categories. The fair value of loans, except residential mortgages, is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risks inherent in the loan. For residential mortgage loans, fair value is estimated by discounting contractual cash flows adjusting for prepayment assumptions using discount rates based on secondary market sources. The estimated fair value is not an exit price fair value under ASC 820 when this valuation technique is used.

 

Loans held for sale: Fair values are based upon estimated values to be received from independent third party purchasers.

 

Deposit Liabilities: The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts and money market deposits is the amount payable at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed maturity certificates of deposit is estimated using the rates currently offered for funding of similar remaining maturities.

 

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Borrowings: The fair value of floating rate borrowings is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed rate borrowings is estimated using the rates currently offered for borrowings of similar remaining maturities.

 

Subordinated debt: The fair value of the floating rate subordinated debt is estimated using discounted cash flow analysis and estimates of the Company’s current incremental borrowing rate for similar instruments, and dealer quotes for similar debt.

 

NOTE K — PENDING ACQUISITION

 

Acquisition

 

On April 24, 2014, Seacoast signed a definitive agreement and plan of merger with The BANKshares, Inc., a bank holding company (“BANKshares”). BANKshares founded in 1989, is headquartered in Winter Park, Florida, and following the closing of the merger, the acquisition is expected to add approximately $688 million in assets, $516 million in deposits, and $381 million in loans, based on amounts outstanding at June 30, 2014, along with twelve branch locations throughout central Florida. For the year ended December 31, 2013, BANKshares reported net income of $3.0 million, and for the six months ended June 30, 2014 had net income of $1.3 million. The all-stock transaction provides that BANKshares’ shareholders will receive 0.4975 shares of Seacoast common stock. Based on Seacoast’s closing price on July 25, 2014, the transaction would be valued at approximately $73.1 million, with closing to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2014, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

 

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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

SECOND QUARTER 2014

 

The following discussion and analysis is designed to provide a better understanding of the significant factors related to the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. Such discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes included in this report. For purposes of the following discussion, the words the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to the combined entities of Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida and its direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries.

 

STRATEGIC OVERVIEW

 

A number of significant milestones marking both quantitative and qualitative improvements in our business were attained in 2013, better positioning the Company to increase net income to common shareholders in 2014, and prospectively. These included:

 

·the recapture of the $45 million valuation allowance on net deferred tax assets;

 

·a successful raise of $75 million in common equity;

 

·the termination of the Bank’s formal agreement with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), and

 

·the redemption of the Company’s $50 million in outstanding Series A Preferred Stock originally issued to the U.S. Department of Treasury under the Troubled Asset Relief Program.

 

In addition, through ongoing investments in loan production personnel, digital technology and the effects of asset quality improvements and expense management, the Company has proactively positioned its business for growth. We believe our targeted plan to grow our customer and commercial franchise is the best way to build shareholder value, and we expect to supplement this growth through strategic acquisition opportunities from time to time.

 

Through our new Accelerate offices, the Company continues to focus on reaching customers in unique ways, creating a path to achieve higher customer satisfaction. The Accelerate offices provide our customers with talented, results-oriented staff, specializing in loans to the smaller business market segment. From their tenure and market experience, our bankers are familiar with the multitude of challenges the small business customer faces. Seacoast intends to build customer relationships with depth that surpass traditional commercial lending, and open opportunities into other areas in which we provide services.

 

Our customer growth strategy has included investments in digital delivery and products that we believe have contributed to increasing core customer funding. As of June 30, 2014, over 57% of our online customers have adopted our mobile product offerings, and the total number of services utilized by our retail customers increased to an average of 3.4 per household, primarily due to an increase in debit card activation, direct deposit and mobile banking users. Personal and business mobile banking has grown from 10,240 users at June 30, 2013 to 18,594 users at June 30, 2014, an increase of over 81 percent. We are concentrating on building a more integrated distribution system which will allow us to reduce our fixed costs as we further invest in technology designed to better serve our customers.

 

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A persistent emphasis on expense reduction resulted in the successful implementation of first and second quarter 2014 cost savings totaling $1.4 million and $1.9 million, respectively, annually. These savings were the result of negotiations with our current vendors for competitive pricing, changes in organizational structure, and the termination of the regulatory agreement and its requirements. Our focus remains on building our customer franchise, increasing loan production, while investing in resources to support revenue growth. The cost reductions in the second quarter were fully implemented, but only partially realized in the quarter’s core expenses. The third quarter will have the full benefit of these cost reductions. Cost savings identified continue to be reinvested in marketing, digital services and data analytics, with a year-to-date investment of approximately $748,000 absorbed in current year operating expense. Total investments in these areas are projected to total approximately $1.3 million annually to support sustained efforts in these areas. These investments are in addition to the substantial investments we made last year, primarily in the startup and support of our Accelerate business distribution platform which has contributed to growth in net interest income this quarter. Total operating expense for the Accelerate platform is expected to total $4.7 million in 2014 and has provided an increase in commercial loans outstanding and a stronger loan pipeline this year.

 

Additional legacy cost reductions (primarily branch consolidations) have been identified that we will begin to implement in the fourth quarter of this year. Annualized savings are estimated at $1.8 million when fully implemented. One time charges related to the cost reductions are estimated at approximately $4 million and will be incurred in the fourth quarter 2014.

 

EARNINGS OVERVIEW

 

Our net interest income increased $611,000 during the second quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 but our net interest margin was 2 basis points lower, principally due to lower spreads earned due to lower interest rates impacting the asset add on rates over the prior year. Our focus has been and will continue to be to improve our deposit mix by increasing low cost deposits and adding to our loan balances to offset compressed interest rate spreads expected to continue over the reminder of 2014 and into 2015. Improved credit and asset quality measures permitted a benefit of $1,444,000 to be recorded for loan losses for the second quarter 2014, versus a $565,000 provision a year ago (see “Provision for Loan Losses” and “Allowance for Loan Losses”). Noninterest income (excluding securities gains) decreased in the second quarter of 2014, by $439,000, the primary cause being lower mortgage banking fees of $401,000 (see “Noninterest Income”).

 

Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2014 of $1,918,000, compared to net income $2,954,000 for the second quarter of 2013.

 

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make judgments in the application of certain of its accounting policies that involve significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions, which may materially affect the reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements, and changes in this information over time and the use of revised estimates and assumptions could materially affect amounts reported in subsequent financial statements. Management, after consultation with the Company’s Audit Committee, believes the most critical accounting estimates and assumptions that involve the most difficult, subjective and complex assessments are:

 

the allowance and the provision for loan losses;

 

fair value measurements;

 

other than temporary impairment of securities;

 

realization of deferred tax assets; and

 

contingent liabilities.

 

The following is a discussion of the critical accounting policies intended to facilitate a reader’s understanding of the judgments, estimates and assumptions underlying these accounting policies and the possible or likely events or uncertainties known to us that could have a material effect on our reported financial information.

 

Allowance and Provision for Loan Losses

 

The information contained on pages 37 and 42-51 related to the “Provision for Loan Losses”, “Loan Portfolio”, “Allowance for Loan Losses” and “Nonperforming Assets” is intended to describe the known trends, events and uncertainties which could materially affect the Company’s accounting estimates related to our allowance for loan losses.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

All impaired loans are reviewed quarterly to determine if fair value adjustments are necessary based on known changes in the market and/or the project assumptions. When necessary, the “As Is” appraised value may be adjusted based on more recent appraisal assumptions received by the Company on other similar properties, the tax assessed market value, comparative sales and/or an internal valuation. If an updated assessment is deemed necessary and an internal valuation cannot be made, an external “As Is” appraisal will be obtained. A specific reserve is established and/or the loan is written down to the current “As Is” appraisal value.

 

Collateral dependent impaired loans are loans that are solely dependent on the liquidation of the collateral for repayment which includes repayment from the proceeds from the sale of the collateral, cash flow from the continued operation of the collateral, or both.  All OREO and repossessed assets (“REPO”) are reviewed quarterly to determine if fair value adjustments are necessary based on known changes in the market and/or project assumptions. When necessary, the “As Is” appraisal is adjusted based on more recent appraisal assumptions received by the Company on other similar properties, the tax assessment market value, comparative sales and/or an internal valuation is performed. If an updated assessment is deemed necessary, and an internal valuation cannot be made, an external appraisal will be requested. Upon receipt of the “As Is” appraisal a charge-off is recognized for the difference between the loan amount and its current fair market value.

 

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“As Is” values are used to measure fair market value on impaired loans, OREO and REPOs.

 

At June 30, 2014, outstanding securities designated as available for sale totaled $518,353,000. The fair value of the available for sale portfolio at June 30, 2014 was less than historical amortized cost, producing net unrealized losses of $2,952,000 that have been included in other comprehensive income as a component of shareholders’ equity (net of taxes). During the second quarter of 2014, the Company designated a portion of its available for sale securities as held for investment. The investments were acquired as a loan portfolio substitute. The investment securities transferred had longer durations and would be more price sensitive if interest rates were to increase. The carrying value and fair value of held for investment securities was $156,498,000 and $155,935,000, respectively, at June 30, 2014. The Company made no change to the valuation techniques used to determine the fair values of securities during 2014. The fair value of each security available for sale was obtained from independent pricing sources utilized by many financial institutions. The fair value of many state and municipal securities are not readily available through market sources, so fair value estimates are based on quoted market price or prices of similar instruments. Generally, the Company obtains one price for each security. However, actual values can only be determined in an arms-length transaction between a willing buyer and seller that can, and often do, vary from these reported values. Furthermore, significant changes in recorded values due to changes in actual and perceived economic conditions can occur rapidly, producing greater unrealized losses or gains in the available for sale portfolio.

 

As of June 30, 2014, the Company’s investment securities, except for approximately $6.3 million of securities issued by states and their political subdivisions generally are traded in large liquid markets. U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government agency obligations totaled $482.7 million, or 71.5 percent of the total securities portfolio. The remainder of the portfolio consists of private label securities, most secured by collateral originated in 2005 or prior years with low loan to values, and current FICO scores above 700. Generally these securities have credit support exceeding 5%. The collateral underlying these mortgage investments are primarily 30- and 15-year fixed rate, 5/1 and 10/1 adjustable rate mortgage loans. Historically, the mortgage loans serving as collateral for those investments have had minimal foreclosures and losses. During the second and third quarters of 2013, the Company invested $32.2 million in uncapped 3-month Libor floating rate collateralized loan obligations. Collateralized loan obligations are special purpose vehicles that purchase loans as assets that provide a steady stream of income and possible capital appreciation. The primary collateral for the securities is first lien senior secured corporate debt. The Company has purchased senior tranches rated AAA or AA and performed stress tests, which indicated that the senior subordination levels are sufficient and no principal loss is forecast, verifying the independent credit and investment grade rating.

 

Our investments are reviewed quarterly for other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”). The following primary factors are considered for securities identified for OTTI testing: percent decline in fair value, rating downgrades, subordination, duration, amortized loan-to-value, and the ability of the issuers to pay all amounts due in accordance with the contractual terms. Prices obtained from pricing services are usually not adjusted. Based on our internal review procedures and the fair values provided by the pricing services, we believe that the fair values provided by the pricing services are consistent with the principles of ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement. However, on occasion pricing provided by the pricing services may not be consistent with other observed prices in the market for similar securities. Using observable market factors, including interest rate and yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities and default rates, the Company may at times validate the observed prices using a discounted cash flow model and using the observed prices for similar securities to determine the fair value of its securities.

 

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Changes in the fair values, as a result of deteriorating economic conditions and credit spread changes, should only be temporary. Further, management believes that the Company’s other sources of liquidity, as well as the cash flow from principal and interest payments from its securities portfolio, reduces the risk that losses would be realized as a result of a need to sell securities to obtain liquidity.

 

The Company also held stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”) totaling $4.3 million as of June 30, 2014, $0.6 million less than year-end 2013’s balance. The Company accounts for its FHLB stock based on the industry guidance in ASC 942, Financial Services—Depository and Lending, which requires the investment to be carried at cost and evaluated for impairment based on the ultimate recoverability of the par value. We evaluated our holdings in FHLB stock at June 30, 2014 and believe our holdings in the stock are ultimately recoverable at par. We do not have operational or liquidity needs that would require redemption of the FHLB stock in the foreseeable future and, therefore, have determined that the stock is not other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

Realization of Deferred Tax Assets

 

At June 30, 2014, the Company had net deferred tax assets (“DTA”) of $59.8 million. Although realization is not assured, management believes that realization of the carrying value of the DTA is more likely than not, based upon expectations as to future taxable income and tax planning strategies, as defined by ASC 740 Income Taxes. In comparison, at June 30, 2013 the Company had net DTA of $23.2 million.

 

Lower credit costs and increased earnings before taxes for 2013 resulted in the Company’s conclusion that recovery of its net deferred tax assets was more likely than not from future earnings and therefore the deferred tax valuation allowance of $44.8 million was entirely reversed at September 30, 2013. The most important factors that supported this conclusion were:

 

Income before tax (“IBT”) had increased over the past five quarters as credit costs improved,

 

Credit costs improved and overall credit risk was reduced to a level which decreased the impact on future taxable earnings,

 

Credit processes, policies and governance had been improved and enhanced,

 

IBT results for the third quarter of 2013 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 indicated an annualized steady state income before tax of $13-$16 million per year, assuming a normalized loan loss provision and no improvement in economic conditions which recovered the net operating loss carry-forwards before expiration,

 

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Since 2008 the Company made steady improvements in asset quality, loan growth, core deposit business and personal accounts, noninterest income and maintained strong capital ratios throughout the challenging economic environment,

 

At September 30, 2013, the Company no longer had a three year cumulative loss, and

 

The OCC, Seacoast National’s primary regulator, terminated its formal agreement in 2013.

 

Contingent Liabilities

 

The Company is subject to contingent liabilities, including judicial, regulatory and arbitration proceedings, and tax and other claims arising from the conduct of our business activities. These proceedings include actions brought against the Company and/or our subsidiaries with respect to transactions in which the Company and/or our subsidiaries acted as a lender, a financial advisor, a broker or acted in a related activity. Accruals are established for legal and other claims when it becomes probable that the Company will incur an expense and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Company management, together with attorneys, consultants and other professionals, assesses the probability and estimated amounts involved in a contingency. Throughout the life of a contingency, the Company or our advisors may learn of additional information that can affect our assessments about probability or about the estimates of amounts involved. Changes in these assessments can lead to changes in recorded reserves. In addition, the actual costs of resolving these claims may be substantially higher or lower than the amounts reserved for the claims. At June 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company had no significant accruals for contingent liabilities and had no known pending matters that could potentially be significant.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

NET INTEREST INCOME

 

Net interest income (on a fully taxable equivalent basis) for the second quarter of 2014 totaled $16,779,000, increasing from 2014’s first quarter by $502,000 or 3.1 percent, and higher than second quarter 2013’s result by $607,000 or 3.8 percent. The year over year improvement results from increases in net loans and investment securities compared to a year ago. The following table details net interest income and margin results (on a tax equivalent basis) for the past five quarters. Net interest income for the third quarter 2013 was higher, due to a recovery of interest on nonaccrual loans of $505,000.

 

   Net Interest   Net Interest 
   Income   Margin 
(Dollars in thousands)  (tax equivalent)   (tax equivalent) 
Second quarter 2013  $16,172    3.12%
Third quarter 2013   16,872    3.25 
Fourth quarter 2013   16,336    3.08 
First quarter 2014   16,277    3.07 
Second quarter 2014   16,779    3.10 

 

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Fully taxable equivalent net interest income is a common term and measure used in the banking industry but is not a term used under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). We believe that these presentations of tax-equivalent net interest income and tax equivalent net interest margin aid in the comparability of net interest income arising from both taxable and tax-exempt sources over the periods presented. We further believe these non-GAAP measures enhance investors’ understanding of the Company’s business and performance, and facilitate an understanding of performance trends and comparisons with the performance of other financial institutions. The limitations associated with these measures are the risk that persons might disagree as to the appropriateness of items comprising these measures and that different companies might calculate these measures differently, including as a result of using different assumed tax rates. These disclosures should not be considered an alternative to GAAP. The following information is provided to reconcile GAAP measures and tax equivalent net interest income and net interest margin on a tax equivalent basis.

 

   Second   First   Fourth   Third   Second 
   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter 
(Dollars in thousands)  2014   2014   2013   2013   2013 
Nontaxable interest income  $101   $106   $112   $107   $108 
Tax Rate   35%   35%   35%   35%   35%
Net interest income (TE)  $16,779   $16,277   $16,336   $16,872   $16,172 
Total net interest income (not TE)   16,725    16,221    16,277    16,815    16,114 
Net interest margin (TE)   3.10%   3.07%   3.08%   3.25%   3.12%
Net interest margin (not TE)   3.09    3.06    3.06    3.24    3.11 

 

The level of nonaccrual loans, changes in the earning assets mix, and the Federal Reserve’s policies lowering interest rates have been primary forces affecting net interest income and net interest margin results.

 

The earning asset mix changed year over year impacting net interest income. For the second quarter of 2014, average loans (the highest yielding component of earning assets) as a percentage of average earning assets totaled 61.7 percent, compared to 61.1 percent a year ago. Average securities as a percentage of average earning assets increased from 30.8 percent a year ago to 31.3 percent during the second quarter of 2014 and interest bearing deposits and other investments decreased to 7.0 percent in 2014 from 8.1 percent in 2013. Average total loans as a percentage of earning assets increased, and the mix of loans was generally improved, with volumes related to commercial and commercial real estate representing 48.9 percent of total loans at June 30, 2014 (compared to 47.7 percent at June 30, 2013), and lower yielding residential loan balances with individuals (including home equity loans and lines, and personal construction loans) representing 47.7 percent of total loans at June 30, 2014 (versus 48.8 percent at June 30, 2013) (see “Loan Portfolio”).

 

The yield on earning assets for the second quarter of 2014 was 3.33 percent, 6 basis points lower than 2013’s second quarter, a reflection of the lower interest rate environment. The following table details the yield on earning assets (on a tax equivalent basis) for the past five quarters:

 

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   Second   First   Fourth   Third   Second 
   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter 
   2014   2014   2013   2013   2013 
Yield   3.33%   3.31%   3.33%   3.52%   3.39%

 

The yield on loans decreased 28 basis points to 4.24 percent over the last twelve months with nonaccrual loans totaling $21.7 million or 1.6 percent of total loans at June 30, 2014 (versus $33.3 million or 2.6 percent of total loans at June 30, 2013). The yield on investment securities improved, increasing 26 basis points year over year to 2.15 percent for the second quarter of 2014, reflecting reduced prepayments of principal from refinancing activities on mortgage backed securities in the portfolio and higher add-on rates for recent purchases. Also, the yield on interest bearing deposits and other investments was slightly higher at 0.64 percent for second quarter 2014, up 11 basis points compared to a year earlier.

 

Average earning assets for the second quarter of 2014 increased $90.3 million or 4.3 percent compared to 2013’s second quarter balance. Average loan balances for 2014 increased $68.6 million or 5.4 percent to $1,338.4 million, average investment securities increased $37.0 million or 5.8 percent to $678.4 million, and average interest bearing deposits and other investments decreased $15.3 million or 9.1 percent to $153.4 million.

 

Commercial and commercial real estate loan production for the first six months of 2014 totaled approximately $91 million, compared to production for all of 2013 and 2012 of $200 million and $111 million, respectively. Improvements in commercial production have resulted from a focused program to target small business segments less impacted by the lingering effects of the recession. Our strategy has been to focus on hiring commercial lenders for the larger metropolitan markets in which the Company competes, principally Orlando and Palm Beach. With commercial production improving during 2013 and 2014, period-end total loans outstanding have increased by $69.3 million or 5.5 percent since June 30, 2013. At June 30, 2014 the Company’s total commercial and commercial real estate loan pipeline was $58 million, versus $30 million at March 31, 2104 and $47 million at the end of the second quarter of 2013.

 

Closed residential mortgage loan production for the first and second quarters of 2014 totaled $40 million and $61 million, respectively, of which $19 million and $28 million was sold servicing-released. In comparison, closed residential mortgage loan production for the first and second quarters of 2013 totaled $56 million and $80 million, respectively, of which $33 million and $49 million was sold servicing-released. Applications for residential mortgages totaled $172 million during the first six months of 2014, compared to $211 million for the same period of 2013. Most of our loan production has been focused on purchased home mortgages. Existing home sales and home mortgage loan refinancing activity in the Company’s markets remains fairly stable, with some demand for new home construction emerging.

 

Securities purchases for the investment portfolio in 2014 and 2013 have been conducted principally to reinvest funds from maturities and principal repayments, as well as to reinvest excess funds (in an interest bearing deposit) at the Federal Reserve Bank, and the proceeds from sales. During the first six months of 2014, maturities (principally pay-downs of $47.4 million) totaled $48.1 million and securities portfolio purchases totaled $75.8 million. In comparison, for the six months ended June 30, 2013 maturities totaled $91.8 million and securities portfolio purchases totaled $168.4 million.

 

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The cost of average interest-bearing liabilities in the second quarter of 2014 was identical to first quarter 2014 and was 3 basis points lower than for the second quarter of 2013, reflecting the lower interest rate environment and improved deposit mix. The following table details the cost of average interest bearing liabilities for the past five quarters:

 

   Second   First   Fourth   Third   Second 
   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter 
   2014   2014   2013   2013   2013 
Rate   0.33%   0.33%   0.35%   0.36%   0.36%

 

The Company’s retail core deposit focus produced strong growth in core deposit customer relationships when compared to prior year’s results. Lower rates paid on interest bearing deposits during 2014 (and last several quarters) reduced the overall cost of total deposits to 0.13 percent for the second quarter of 2014, 3 basis points lower than the same quarter a year ago. A significant component favorably affecting the Company’s net interest margin, the average balances of lower cost interest bearing deposits (NOW, savings and money market) totaled 80.1 percent of total average interest bearing deposits during the second quarter of 2014, an improvement compared to the average of 76.5 percent a year ago. While interest rates are predicted to remain low through 2014, prospective reductions in interest bearing deposit costs will be more challenging to produce due to more limited re-pricing opportunities. During the second quarter of 2014, the average rate for lower cost interest bearing deposits of 0.07 percent was nominally lower, by 1 basis point from the second quarter 2013. CD rates paid were lower, averaging 0.60 percent for the second quarter 2014, a 7 basis point decrease compared to 2013’s second quarter. Average CDs (the highest cost component of interest bearing deposits) were 19.9 percent of interest bearing deposits for 2014’s second quarter, compared to 23.5 percent for the second quarter of 2013.

 

Average deposits totaled $1,806.0 million during the second quarter of 2014, and were $67.3 million higher compared to the second quarter of 2013, even with a reduction of time deposits. Average aggregate amounts for NOW, savings and money market balances increased $59.8 million or 6.1 percent to $1,040.7 million for 2014 compared to the second quarter of 2013, average noninterest bearing deposits increased $50.4 million or 11.1 percent to $505.9 million for 2014 compared to 2013, and average CDs decreased by $42.8 million or 14.2 percent to $259.3 million over the same period. With the low interest rate environment and lower CD rate offerings available, customers have been more complacent and are leaving more funds in lower cost average balances in savings and other liquid deposit products that pay no interest or a lower interest rate. In addition, growth in commercial relationships resulting from an improved local economy and our increased focus on small business in our retail stores and our Accelerate business channel has resulted in core commercial business funding (noninterest demand, NOW and money market accounts) of $449.6 million at June 30, 2014, an increase of $43.6 million or 10.7 percent year over year.

 

Average short-term borrowings have been principally comprised of sweep repurchase agreements with customers of Seacoast National, which decreased $9.7 million to $150.1 million or 6.1 percent for the second quarter of 2014 as compared to 2013 for the same period. With balances typically peaking during the fourth and first quarters each year, public fund clients with larger balances have the most significant influence on average sweep repurchase agreement balances outstanding during the year.

 

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Prospectively, we expect our net interest margin to grow as our lending initiatives produce improved results and our problem loan liquidation activities are concluded. We are positioned for stronger earnings performance with a more typical yield curve and as excess liquidity is deployed into higher earning assets. Our focus on achieving increased household growth year over year should produce future organic revenue growth, as the long term value of core household relationships are revealed, as more products are sold and fees earned, and as normalized interest rates return as the economy improves.

 

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

 

Management determines the provision for loan losses charged to operations by continually analyzing and monitoring delinquencies, nonperforming loans and the level of outstanding balances for each loan category, as well as the amount of net charge-offs, and by estimating losses inherent in its portfolio. While the Company’s policies and procedures used to estimate the provision for loan losses charged to operations are considered adequate by management, factors beyond the control of the Company, such as general economic conditions, both locally and nationally, make management’s judgment as to the adequacy of the provision and allowance for loan losses necessarily approximate and imprecise (see “Nonperforming Assets” and “Allowance for Loan Losses”).

 

The provision for loan losses is the result of a detailed analysis estimating an appropriate and adequate allowance for loan losses. The analysis includes the evaluation of impaired loans as prescribed under FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 310, Receivables as well as, an analysis of homogeneous loan pools not individually evaluated as prescribed under ASC 450, Contingencies. Based on the improvements in nonaccrual loans and the reduction in potential problem loans since year end 2013 and year over year for the first and second quarters of 2014, we recorded a negative provision for loan losses of $0.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively, which compared to provisioning for loan losses in the first and second quarters of 2013 totaling $1.0 million and $0.6 million, respectively. Net recoveries for the first and second quarters of 2014 of $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, compared to net charge-offs of $1.5 million and $2.0 million in the first and second quarters of 2013, respectively. Delinquency trends remain low and show continued stability (see “Nonperforming Assets”).

 

Note F to the financial statements (titled “Impaired Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”) provides additional information concerning the Company’s allowance and provisioning for loan losses.

 

NONINTEREST INCOME

 

Noninterest income, excluding securities gains or losses, totaled $5,896,000 for the second quarter of 2014, $439,000 or 6.9 percent lower than 2013’s second quarter and $338,000 or 6.1 percent higher than the first quarter 2014. Noninterest income accounted for 26.1 percent of total revenue (net interest income plus noninterest income, excluding securities gains or losses) during the second quarter of 2014, compared to 28.2 percent a year ago.

 

Noninterest income for the second quarter of 2014, compared to first quarter 2014 and the second quarter of 2013, is detailed as follows:

 

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   Second   First   Second 
   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter 
(Dollars in thousands)  2014   2014   2013 
Service charges on deposits  $1,484   $1,507   $1,641 
Trust income   703    671    675 
Mortgage banking fees   855    661    1,256 
Brokerage commissions and fees   410    379    362 
Marine finance fees   340    254    419 
Interchange income   1,514    1,403    1,388 
Other deposit-based EFT fees   83    98    87 
Other income   507    585    507 
Total  $5,896   $5,558   $6,335 

 

For the second quarter of 2014, revenues from the Company’s wealth management services businesses (trust and brokerage) increased by $76,000 or 7.3 percent year over year versus second quarter 2013, and were higher for the first six months of 2014 compared to 2013 by $25,000 or 1.2 percent. Included in the $76,000 increase from a year ago, trust revenue was higher by $28,000 or 4.1 percent and brokerage commissions and fees increased by $48,000 or 13.3 percent. Higher agency fees were the primary cause for the overall increase in trust revenue versus second quarter 2013. The $48,000 overall increase in brokerage commissions and fees for 2014 included an increase of $41,000 in insurance annuity income.

 

Service charges on deposits for the second quarter of 2014 were $157,000 or 9.6 percent lower year over year versus 2013’s result, and were $201,000 lower or 6.3 percent for the first six months of 2014 when compared to the same period of 2013. During the second quarter of 2014, overdraft fees decreased $125,000 or 11.9 percent year over year and represented approximately 62 percent of total service charges on deposits, lower than the average of 67 percent for all of 2013. The regulators continue to review the banking industry’s practices around overdraft programs and additional regulation could further reduce fee income for the Company’s overdraft services.

 

For the second quarter of 2014, fees from the non-recourse sale of marine loans totaled $340,000, slightly lower by $79,000, compared to second quarter 2013, and were lower for the first six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to 2013’s result, by $97,000 or 14.0 percent. The Seacoast Marine Division originated $52 million in loans during the first six months of 2014, of which 73 percent was sold, with the remaining $14 million placed in the loan portfolio. In comparison, originations totaled $40 million during the first six months of 2013, of which 94 percent were sold. The Seacoast Marine Division is headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida with lending professionals in Florida, California, Washington and Oregon.

 

Greater usage of check or debit cards over the past several years by core deposit customers and an increased cardholder base has increased our interchange income. For the second quarter of 2014, interchange income increased $126,000 or 9.1 percent compared to second quarter 2013, and was $265,000 or 10.0 percent higher for the first six months of 2014 versus 2013’s income. Other deposit-based electronic funds transfer (“EFT”) income was lower (by $4,000) versus a year ago for the second quarter and decreased by $4,000 or 2.2 percent for the first six months of 2014 compared to 2013. Interchange revenue is dependent upon business volumes transacted, as well as the fees permitted by VISA® and MasterCard®.

 

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The Company originates residential mortgage loans in its markets, with loans processed by commissioned employees of Seacoast National. Many of these mortgage loans are referred by the Company’s branch personnel. Mortgage banking fees in the second quarter of 2014 decreased $401,000 or 31.9 percent from 2013’s second quarter result, and were $854,000 or 36.0 percent lower for the six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to a year ago the same period. Mortgage banking revenue as a component of overall noninterest income was 13.2 percent for 2014, compared to 17.2 percent for all of 2013. Mortgage revenues are dependent upon favorable interest rates, as well as good overall economic conditions, including the volume of home sales. Residential real estate sales and activity in our markets improved during 2013, with transactions increasing, prices firming and affordability improving. However, during the fourth quarter of 2013 and into 2014, the volume of transactions has been dampened by higher interest rates. The Company was the number one originator of home purchase mortgages in Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties during 2013 and the first five months of 2014, based on the data available to date.

 

NONINTEREST EXPENSES

 

The Company’s overhead ratio was in the low to mid 60’s in years prior to the recession. Lower earnings and cyclical credit costs in 2012, 2011 and 2010 resulted in this ratio increasing to 94.6 percent, 90.1 percent, and 104.6 percent, respectively. For 2013, this ratio was 82.9 percent. For the first six months of 2014, the overhead ratio was 86.9 percent and total noninterest expenses were $1,463,000 or 3.8 percent higher versus the first six months a year ago, totaling $39,446,000. For 2014, noninterest expense includes merger related charges for the acquisition of BANKshares of $1,240,000 and severance costs of $393,000 for organizational restructuring. Without these charges, the overhead ratio would be 82.2 percent.

 

During the first and second quarters of 2014, annual cost reductions totaling $1.4 million and $1.9 million, respectively, were implemented, and resulted in severance expense of $393,000. Offsetting the cost reductions were continued investments in our digital delivery channels along with our new Accelerate business offices, combined with increased advertising and data analytics. Additional legacy cost reductions of $1.8 million will be implemented in late 2014, primarily branch consolidations realigning our expense structure to focus on growth initiatives and improvements in the customer experience. One-time charges related to these new initiatives are estimated at $4.0 million and will be incurred in the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

Salaries and wages totaling $7,768,000 were lower by $134,000 or 1.7 percent for the second quarter of 2014 compared to second quarter 2013. Commission payments for 2014 related to revenue generation from wealth management and lending production decreased $99,000 or 12.5 percent, cash and stock incentives were $54,000 or 9.9 percent lower during the second quarter of 2014 versus the same period in 2013. Salaries and wages were slightly higher for the six months ended June 30, 2014, up by $20,000 to $15,392,000.

 

In the second quarter of 2014, employee benefits costs were higher by $258,000 or 14.1 percent when compared to a year ago. Costs for our self-funded health care plan were higher by $196,000 for the second quarter 2014 compared to second quarter a year ago, due to higher claims and utilization. Matching 401K contributions associated with employee salary deferrals were returned to levels pre-recession, and were $72,000 higher during the second quarter of 2014 compared to the second quarter of 2013. Employee benefit costs were $217,000 or 5.4 percent higher for the six months ended June 30, 2014 versus a year ago, with 401K contributions by the Company the primary cause, increasing $167,000.

 

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Outsourced data processing costs totaled $1,811,000 for the second quarter of 2014, an increase of $180,000 or 11.0 percent from a year ago. Seacoast National utilizes third parties for its core data processing systems. During the second quarter of 2014, the increase in core data processing costs of $177,000 or 15.8 percent was the primary cause for the overall increase, as a result of increased customers and more transactions. For the first six months for 2014, outsourced data processing costs were $377,000 or 12.0 percent higher, compared to a year ago. We are implementing improvements and enhancements related to mobile remote deposit capture, and other digital products and services during 2014, which will increase our outsourced data processing costs as customers adopt the new digital products.

 

Total occupancy, furniture and equipment expenses for the second quarter of 2014 increased $146,000 or 6.2 percent (on an aggregate basis) to $2,492,000 year over year versus 2013’s expense. Similarly, these costs were $239,000 or 5.1 percent higher for the six month period ended June 30, 2014, versus prior year. Depreciation for leasehold improvements and newly acquired furniture and equipment was $147,000 higher for the second quarter of 2014, the primary cause being the five new Accelerate Business locations opened in our Orlando and Palm Beach markets during the latter half of 2013.

 

For the second quarter of 2014, marketing expenses were unchanged compared to the same period in 2013. Year-to-date these costs were $354,000 or 31.2 percent higher, versus 2013. Direct mail and media were utilized more extensively during the first quarter of 2014 for seasonal advertising promoting our “Good Idea and Uncommon” campaign that focused on the Seacoast brand. As predicted, marketing expenditures were lower in the second quarter of 2014 compared with the first quarter of 2014, and we expect continued momentum in customer acquisition with less spend requirement moving forward over 2014.

 

Legal and professional fees were higher, increasing by $1,973,000 from second quarter a year ago to $2,272,000. Second quarter 2014 included $1,205,000 related to the acquisition of BANKshares, including $779,000 for legal fees, $123,000 for CPA fees, and $303,000 for additional professional fees related to investment banking. Legal fees for other real estate owned (OREO) were $643,000 higher, entirely due to a recovery of legal fees of $650,000 from a single commercial borrower in the second quarter a year ago. In addition to the investment banking fees, other professional fees were higher year over year during the second quarter for annual information security penetration testing, Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) system analysis, and fees related to our cost reduction initiatives.

 

FDIC assessments were lower and totaled $309,000 for the second quarter of 2014 compared to $720,000 for the second quarter of 2013, reflecting the termination of the regulatory enforcement actions in 2013. Year-to-date through June 30, 2014, FDIC assessments were $640,000 or 44.5 percent lower, versus a year ago.

 

Net losses on other real estate owned (OREO) and repossessed assets, and asset disposition expenses associated with the management of OREO and repossessed assets (aggregated) totaled $181,000 and $210,000, respectively, for the first and second quarters of 2014. In comparison, these costs totaled $857,000 and $604,000 for the first and second quarters of 2013, respectively. OREO balances have declined by $3.9 million since June 30, 2013, and total $6.2 million at June 30, 2014. The Company expects these costs to continue to remain lower prospectively, as property values are improving.

 

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CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

The Company’s equity capital at June 30, 2014 has increased $73.2 million to $234.4 million since June 30, 2013, and the ratio of shareholders’ equity to period end total assets was 10.22 percent at June 30, 2014, compared with 7.38 percent at June 30, 2013, and 8.75 percent at December 31, 2013.

 

Seacoast’s management uses certain “non-GAAP” financial measures in its analysis of the Company’s capital adequacy. Seacoast’s management uses these measures to assess the quality of capital and believes that investors may find it useful in their analysis of the Company. The capital measures are not necessarily comparable to similar capital measures that may be presented by other companies. The Company’s capital position remains strong, meeting the general definition of “well capitalized”, with a total risk-based capital ratio of 19.06 percent at June 30, 2014, higher than June 30, 2013’s ratio of 17.42 percent and December 31, 2013’s ratio of 16.88 percent.

 

The Company and Seacoast National are subject to various general regulatory policies and requirements relating to the payment of dividends, including requirements to maintain adequate capital above regulatory minimums. The appropriate federal bank regulatory authority may prohibit the payment of dividends where it has determined that the payment of dividends would be an unsafe or unsound practice. The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from Seacoast National and its other subsidiaries, and the Company’s primary source of cash and liquidity, other than securities offerings and borrowings, is dividends from its bank subsidiary. With the lifting of regulatory agreements during the third quarter of 2013, prior OCC approval is no longer required for any payments of dividends from Seacoast National to the Company which are not in excess of regulatory limits.

 

At June 30, 2014, the capital ratios for the Company and its subsidiary, Seacoast National, were as follows:

 

   Seacoast   Seacoast   Minimum to be 
   (Consolidated)   National   Well Capitalized* 
June 30, 2014:               
Tier 1 capital ratio   17.81%   15.96%   6%
Total risk-based capital ratio   19.06%   17.21%   10%
Tier 1 leverage ratio   10.95%   9.80%   5%

 

 

* For subsidiary bank only

 

Changes in rules under new Basel III guidelines take effect on January 1, 2015, and they will affect risk based capital calculations. The Company has taken a prospective look at its ratios, under these new guidelines and believes it will not significantly impact its ratios.

 

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FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

Total assets increased $110,476,000 or 5.1 percent from June 30, 2013 to $2,294,156,000 at June 30, 2014.

 

LOAN PORTFOLIO

 

Total loans (net of unearned income) were $1,335,192,000 at June 30, 2014, $69,299,000 or 5.5 percent more than at June 30, 2013, and $30,985,000 or 2.4 percent more than at December 31, 2013. Loan production of $342 million was retained in the loan portfolio during the twelve months ended June 30, 2014. The Company continues to look for opportunities to invest excess liquidity and believes the best current use is to fund loan growth. Additional commercial relationship managers hired over the past twelve months have increased loan growth, and will continue to do so prospectively. The following table details loan portfolio composition at June 30, 2014, December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013:

 

   June 30,   December 31,   June 30, 
(Dollars in thousands)  2014   2013   2013 
Construction and land development  $57,393   $67,450   $61,116 
Commercial real estate   538,217    520,382    513,598 
Residential real estate   606,796    592,746    581,378 
Commercial and financial   87,285    78,636    65,224 
Consumer   45,241    44,713    44,296 
Other loans   260    280    281 
NET LOAN BALANCES  $1,335,192   $1,304,207   $1,265,893 

 

The Company defines commercial real estate in accordance with the guidance on “Concentrations in Commercial Real Estate Lending” (the “Guidance”) issued by the federal bank regulatory agencies in 2006.

 

As shown in the loan table below, construction and land development loans (excluding loans to individuals) increased $2.7 to $27.6 million from June 30, 2013. Construction and land development loans to individuals for personal residences were lower year over year, decreasing $6.4 million or 17.7 percent from June 30, 2013.

 

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   June 30, 
   2014   2013 
(In millions)  Funded   Unfunded   Total   Funded   Unfunded   Total 
Construction and land development                              
Residential:                              
Town homes  $1.1   $0.5   $1.6   $0.0   $0.0   $0.0 
Single family residences   5.1    14.1    19.2    0.0    5.0    5.0 
Single family land and lots   4.5    0.0    4.5    5.0    0.0    5.0 
Multifamily   3.5    0.0    3.5    3.9    0.0    3.9 
    14.2    14.6    28.8    8.9    5.0    13.9 
Commercial:                              
Office buildings   0.0    0.0    0.0    1.6    0.9    2.5 
Retail trade   2.4    0.6    3.0    1.8    1.3    3.1 
Land   4.1    1.6    5.7    7.2    0.0    7.2 
Healthcare   0.0    0.0    0.0    2.9    5.8    8.7 
Churches and educational facilities   1.6    1.3    2.9    2.5    1.9    4.4 
Lodging   5.2    1.3    6.5    0.0    6.5    6.5 
Convenience stores   0.1    2.2    2.3    0.0    0.0    0.0 
    13.4    7.0    20.4    16.0    16.4    32.4 
Total residential and commercial   27.6    21.6    49.2    24.9    21.4    46.3 
                               
Individuals:                              
Lot loans   13.1    0.0    13.1    15.5    0.0    15.5 
Construction   16.7    12.7    29.4    20.7    16.1    36.8 
    29.8    12.7    42.5    36.2    16.1    52.3 
Total  $57.4   $34.3   $91.7   $61.1   $37.5   $98.6 

 

Commercial real estate mortgages totaled $538.2 million and were higher by $24.6 million or 4.8 percent at June 30, 2014, compared to June 30, 2013. The Company’s ten largest commercial real estate funded and unfunded loan relationships at June 30, 2014 aggregated to $106.4 million (versus $107.6 million a year ago) and for the 29 commercial real estate relationships in excess of $5 million the aggregate funded and unfunded totaled $221.8 million (compared to 28 relationships of $209.8 million a year ago).

 

Commercial real estate mortgage loans, excluding construction and development loans, were comprised of the following loan types at June 30, 2014 and 2013:

 

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   June 30, 
   2014   2013 
(In millions)  Funded   Unfunded   Total   Funded   Unfunded   Total 
Office buildings  $122.8   $2.5   $125.3   $112.0   $1.9   $113.9 
Retail trade   142.8    1.3    144.1    135.5    0.0    135.5 
Industrial   82.2    0.6    82.8    83.3    0.9    84.2 
Healthcare   41.6    1.0    42.6    42.1    1.1    43.2 
Churches and educational facilities   26.7    0.0    26.7    26.4    0.0    26.4 
Recreation   3.3    0.1    3.4    2.6    0.1    2.7 
Multifamily   18.7    0.0    18.7    9.5    0.0    9.5 
Mobile home parks   1.7    0.0    1.7    1.9    0.0    1.9 
Lodging   17.0    0.0    17.0    17.5    0.0    17.5 
Restaurant   3.9    0.0    3.9    3.5    0.0    3.5 
Agriculture   4.6    1.2    5.8    7.1    1.0    8.1 
Convenience stores   20.9    0.8    21.7    20.2    0.0    20.2 
Marina   18.5    0.0    18.5    20.9    0.0    20.9 
Other   33.5    0.7    34.2    31.1    0.0    31.1 
Total  $538.2   $8.2   $546.4   $513.6   $5.0   $518.6 

 

Fixed rate and adjustable rate loans secured by commercial real estate, excluding construction loans, totaled approximately $354 million and $184 million, respectively, at June 30, 2014, compared to $343 million and $171 million, respectively, a year ago.

 

Residential mortgage lending is an important segment of the Company’s lending activities. The Company has never offered sub-prime, Alt A, Option ARM or any negative amortizing residential loans, programs or products, although we have originated and hold residential mortgage loans from borrowers with original or current FICO credit scores that are less than “prime.” Substantially all residential originations have been underwritten to conventional loan agency standards, including loans having balances that exceed agency value limitations. The Company selectively adds residential mortgage loans to its portfolio, primarily loans with adjustable rates. The Company’s asset mitigation staff handles all foreclosure actions together with outside legal counsel.

 

Exposure to market interest rate volatility with respect to long-term fixed rate mortgage loans held for investment is managed by attempting to match maturities and re-pricing opportunities and through loan sales of most fixed rate product. For the first and second quarters of 2014, closed residential mortgage loan production totaled $40 million and $61 million, respectively, of which $19 million and $28 million of fixed rate loans were sold servicing released while adjustable products were added to the portfolio. In comparison, closed residential mortgage loan production totaled $56 million and $80 million during the first and second quarters of 2013, respectively, with $33 million and $49 million sold servicing released.

 

Adjustable rate residential real estate mortgages were higher at June 30, 2014, by $35.1 million or 9.4 percent, and fixed rate residential real estate mortgages were lower, by $6.5 million or 6.6 percent, compared to a year ago. At June 30, 2014, approximately $408 million or 67 percent of the Company’s residential mortgage balances were adjustable, compared to $373 million or 64 percent at June 30, 2013. Loans secured by residential properties having fixed rates totaled approximately $91 million at June 30, 2014, of which 15- and 30-year mortgages totaled approximately $21 million and $70 million, respectively. The remaining fixed rate balances were comprised of home improvement loans, most with maturities of 10 years or less, that decreased $7.3 million or 11.7 percent since June 30, 2013. In comparison, loans secured by residential properties having fixed rates totaled approximately $98 million at June 30, 2013, with 15- and 30-year fixed rate residential mortgages totaling approximately $26 million and $72 million, respectively. The Company also has a small home equity line portfolio totaling approximately $53 million at June 30, 2014, slightly higher than the $49 million that was outstanding at June 30, 2013.

 

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Reflecting the impact on lending during an improving economy, commercial loans increased $22.1 million or 33.8 percent year over year and totaled $87.3 million at June 30, 2014, compared to $65.2 million a year ago. Commercial lending activities are directed principally towards businesses whose demand for funds are within the Company’s lending limits, such as small- to medium-sized professional firms, retail and wholesale outlets, and light industrial and manufacturing concerns. Such businesses are smaller and subject to the risks of lending to small to medium sized businesses, including, but not limited to, the effects of a downturn in the local economy, possible business failure, and insufficient cash flows.

 

The Company also provides consumer loans (including installment loans, loans for automobiles, boats, and other personal, family and household purposes, and indirect loans through dealers to finance automobiles) which increased $0.9 million or 2.1 percent year over year and totaled $45.2 million (versus $44.3 million a year ago). In addition, real estate construction loans to individuals secured by residential properties totaled $16.7 million (versus $20.7 million a year ago), and residential lot loans to individuals which totaled $13.1 million (versus $15.5 million a year ago).

 

At June 30, 2014, the Company had commitments to make loans of $159 million, compared to $155 million at June 30, 2013.

 

Loan Concentrations

 

The Company has reduced exposure to loan types that were most impacted by stressed market conditions during the recession. In addition the Company reduced its exposure to larger balance loan relationships (including multiple loans to a single borrower or borrower group). Commercial loan relationships greater than $10 million totaled $52.8 million at June 30, 2014 compared to $65,135 at June 30, 2013.

 

Commercial loan relationships greater than $10 million as a percent of tier 1 capital and the allowance for loan losses totaled 23.6 percent at June 30, 2014, compared with 28.2 percent at June 30, 2013.

 

Concentrations in total construction and development loans and total commercial real estate (CRE) loans have also been reduced. As shown in the table below, under regulatory guidance for construction and land development and commercial real estate loan concentrations as a percentage of total risk based capital, Seacoast National’s loan portfolio in these categories (as defined in the guidance) have improved.

 

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   June 30,   December 31,   June 30, 
   2014   2013   2013 
Construction and land development loans to total risk based capital   24%   30%   28%
CRE loans to total risk based capital   165%   172%   170%

 

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

 

Management continuously monitors the quality of the loan portfolio and maintains an allowance for loan losses it believes sufficient to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses declined to a total of $18,140,000 or 1.36 percent of total loans at June 30, 2014 consistent with the reduced credit risk and net charge-offs. This amount is $1,938,000 less than at June 30, 2013 and $1,928,000 less than at December 31, 2013. The allowance for loan losses (“ALLL”) framework has two basic elements: specific allowances for loans individually evaluated for impairment, and a formula-based component for pools of homogeneous loans within the portfolio that have similar risk characteristics, which are not individually evaluated.

 

The first element of the ALLL analysis involves the estimation of allowance specific to individually evaluated impaired loans, including accruing and nonaccruing restructured commercial and consumer loans. In this process, a specific allowance is established for impaired loans based on an analysis of the most probable sources of repayment, including discounted cash flows, liquidation of collateral, or the market value of the loan itself. It is the Company’s policy to charge off any portion of the loan deemed a loss. Restructured consumer loans are also evaluated in this element of the estimate. As of June 30, 2014, the specific allowance related to impaired loans individually evaluated totaled $4.7 million, compared to $5.4 million as of June 30, 2013.

 

The second element of the ALLL analysis, the general allowance for homogeneous loan pools not individually evaluated, is determined by applying allowance factors to pools of loans within the portfolio that have similar risk characteristics. The general allowance factors are determined using a baseline factor that is developed from an analysis of historical net charge-off experience and qualitative factors designed and intended to measure expected losses. These baseline factors are developed and applied to the various loan pools. Adjustments may be made to baseline reserves for some of the loan pools based on an assessment of internal and external influences on credit quality not fully reflected in the historical loss. These influences may include elements such as changes in concentration risk, macroeconomic conditions, and/or recent observable asset quality trends.

 

In addition, our analyses of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses also takes into account qualitative factors such as credit quality, loan concentrations, internal controls, audit results, staff turnover, local market conditions and loan growth.

 

The Company’s independent Credit Administration Department assigns all loss factors to the individual internal risk ratings based on an estimate of the risk using a variety of tools and information. Its estimate includes consideration of the level of unemployment which is incorporated into the overall allowance. In addition, the portfolio is segregated into a graded loan portfolio, residential, installment, home equity, and unsecured signature lines, and loss factors are calculated for each portfolio.

 

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The loss factors assigned to the graded loan portfolio are based on the historical migration of actual losses by grade over 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 quarter intervals. Minimum and maximum average historical loss rates over one to five years are referenced in setting the loss factors by grade within the graded portfolio. Management uses historical loss factors as its starting point, and qualitative elements are considered to capture trends within each portion of the graded portfolio. The direction and expectations of past dues, charge-offs, nonaccruals, classified loans, portfolio mix, market conditions, and risk management controls are considered in setting loss factors for the graded portfolio. The loan loss migration indicates that the minimum and maximum average loss rates and median loss rates over the past many quarters have been declining. Also, the level of criticized and classified loans has been declining as a result of a combination of upgrades, loan payoff and loan sales, which are reducing the risk profile of the loan portfolio. Additionally, the risk profile has declined given the shift in complexion of the graded portfolio, particularly a reduced level of commercial real estate loan concentrations.

 

Residential and consumer (installment, secured lines, and unsecured lines) are analyzed differently as risk ratings, or grades, are not assigned to individual loans. Residential and consumer loan losses are tracked by pool. Management examines the historical losses over one to five years in its determination of the appropriate loss factor for vintages of loans currently in the portfolio and not the vintages that produced the significant losses in prior years. These loss factors are then adjusted by qualitative factors determined by management to reflect potential probable losses inherent in each loan pool. Qualitative factors may include various loan or property types, loan to value, concentrations and economic and environmental factors.

 

Residential loans that become 90 days past due are placed on nonaccrual and a specific allowance is made for any loan that becomes 120 days past due. Residential loans are subsequently written down if they become 180 days past due and such write-downs are supported by a current appraisal, consistent with current banking regulations.

 

Our charge-off policy meets or exceeds regulatory minimums. Losses on unsecured consumer loans are recognized at 90 days past due compared to the regulatory loss criteria of 120 days. Secured consumer loans, including residential real estate, are typically charged-off or charged down between 120 and 180 days past due, depending on the collateral type, in compliance with Federal Financial Institution Examination Council guidelines. Commercial loans and real estate loans are typically placed on nonaccrual status when principal or interest is past due for 90 days or more, unless the loan is both secured by collateral having realizable value sufficient to discharge the debt in-full and the loan is in the legal process of collection. Secured loans may be charged-down to the estimated value of the collateral with previously accrued unpaid interest reversed. Subsequent charge-offs may be required as a result of changes in the market value of collateral or other repayment prospects. Initial charge-off amounts are based on valuation estimates derived from appraisals, broker price opinions, or other market information. Generally, new appraisals are not received until the foreclosure process is completed; however, collateral values are evaluated periodically based on market information and incremental charge-offs are recorded if it is determined that collateral values have declined from their initial estimates

 

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Management continually evaluates the allowance for loan losses methodology seeking to refine and enhance this process as appropriate. As a result, it is likely that the methodology will continue to evolve over time.

 

Our Loan Review unit is independent, and performs loan reviews and evaluates a representative sample of credit extensions after the fact for appropriate individual internal risk ratings. Loan Review has the authority to change internal risk ratings and is responsible for assessing the adequacy of credit underwriting. This unit reports directly to the Directors’ Credit Risk Committee of Seacoast National’s board of directors.

 

Net recoveries for the first and second quarters of 2014 totaled $139,000 and $112,000, respectively, compared to net charges-offs of $1,517,000 and $2,027,000 for the same periods in 2013. Note F to the financial statements (titled “Impaired Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses”) summarizes the Company’s allocation of the allowance for loan losses to construction and land development loans, commercial and residential estate loans, commercial and financial loans, and consumer loans, and provides more specific detail regarding charge-offs and recoveries for each loan component and the composition of the loan portfolio at June 30, 2014 and 2013. Although there is no assurance that we will not have elevated charge-offs in the future, we believe that we have significantly reduced the risks in our loan portfolio and that with stabilizing market conditions, future charge-offs should continue to decline.

 

The allowance as a percentage of loans outstanding was 1.36 percent at June 30, 2014, compared to 1.59 percent at June 30, 2013. The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of probable incurred losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The reduced level of impaired loans and lower classified loans (including special mention and substandard grades) contributed to a lower risk of loss and the lower allowance for loan losses as of June 30, 2014. The risk profile of the loan portfolio has been reduced by implementing a program to reduce the level of credit risk in the portfolio by strengthening credit management methodologies and implementing a low risk “back-to-basics” strategic plan for loan growth. New loan production has shifted to adjustable rate residential real estate loans, owner-occupied commercial real estate, small business loans for professionals and businesses, and consumer lending. Strategies, processes and controls are in place to ensure that new production is well underwritten and maintains a focus on smaller, diversified and lower-risk lending. Average commercial loan size was $524,000 for the first six months of loan production in 2014. Aided by initiatives embodied in new loan programs and continued aggressive collection actions, the portfolio mix has changed dramatically and has become more diversified. The improved mix is most evident by reductions in income producing commercial real estate and construction and land development loans over the last several years. Prospectively, we anticipate that the allowance will continue to decline as a percentage of loans outstanding as we continue to see improvement in our credit quality, with some offset to this perspective for more normal loan growth as business activity and the economy improve.

 

Concentrations of credit risk, discussed under the caption “Loan Portfolio” of this discussion and analysis, can affect the level of the allowance and may involve loans to one borrower, an affiliated group of borrowers, borrowers engaged in or dependent upon the same industry, or a group of borrowers whose loans are predicated on the same type of collateral. The Company’s most significant concentration of credit is a portfolio of loans secured by real estate. At June 30, 2014, the Company had $1.202 billion in loans secured by real estate, representing 90.1 percent of total loans, the volume up from $1.156 billion but slightly lower as a percent of total loans (versus 91.3 percent) at June 30, 2013. In addition, the Company is subject to a geographic concentration of credit because it only operates in central and southeastern Florida.

 

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While it is the Company’s policy to charge off in the current period loans in which a loss is considered probable, there are additional risks of future losses that cannot be quantified precisely or attributed to particular loans or classes of loans. Because these risks include the state of the economy, borrower payment behaviors and local market conditions as well as conditions affecting individual borrowers, management’s judgment of the allowance is necessarily approximate and imprecise. The allowance is also subject to regulatory examinations and determinations as to adequacy, which may take into account such factors as the methodology used to calculate the allowance for loan losses and the size of the allowance for loan losses in comparison to a group of peer companies identified by the regulatory agencies.

 

In assessing the adequacy of the allowance, management relies predominantly on its ongoing review of the loan portfolio, which is undertaken both to ascertain whether there are probable losses that must be charged off and to assess the risk characteristics of the portfolio in aggregate. This review considers the judgments of management, and also those of bank regulatory agencies that review the loan portfolio as part of their regular examination process. Our bank regulators have generally agreed with our credit assessment however the regulators could seek additional provisions to our allowance for loan losses, which would reduce our earnings.

 

NONPERFORMING ASSETS

 

Nonperforming assets (“NPAs”) at June 30, 2014 totaled $27,943,000 and were comprised of $21,745,000 of nonaccrual loans and $6,198,000 of other real estate owned (“OREO”), compared to $43,329,000 at June 30, 2013 (comprised of $33,266,000 in nonaccrual loans and $10,063,000 of OREO). At June 30, 2014, approximately 97.9 percent of nonaccrual loans were secured with real estate, the remainder principally by marine vessels. See the tables below for details about nonaccrual loans. At June 30, 2014, nonaccrual loans have been written down by approximately $7.1 million or 27.2 percent of the original loan balance (including specific impairment reserves).

 

As anticipated, the Company closed a number of OREO sales during the last twelve months that reduced OREO outstanding. OREO has declined $3.9 million or 38.4 percent since June 30, 2013. This is reflective of our improving credit quality.

 

The table below shows the nonperforming loan inflows by quarter for 2014, 2013 and 2012:

 

New Nonperforming Loans            
(Dollars in thousands)  2014   2013   2012 
First quarter  $1,651   $2,868   $20,207 
Second quarter   810    2,949    17,291 
Third quarter        2,019    14,521 
Fourth quarter        2,167    6,891 

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2014, $2.5 million in loans were moved to nonperforming, compared to $10.0 million for all of 2013. Most of these loans are collateralized by real estate. NPAs are subject to changes in the economy, both nationally and locally, changes in monetary and fiscal policies, changes in borrowers’ payment behaviors and changes in conditions affecting various borrowers from Seacoast National. Based on lower classified assets and impaired loan balances as of June 30, 2014, management believes that prospective inflows to nonaccrual loans will continue to decline.

 

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The Company pursues loan restructurings in selected cases where it expects to realize better values than may be expected through traditional collection activities. The Company has worked with retail mortgage customers, when possible, to achieve lower payment structures in an effort to avoid foreclosure. TDRs are part of the Company’s loss mitigation activities and can include rate reductions, payment extensions and principal deferrals. Company policy requires TDRs that are classified as nonaccrual loans after restructuring remain on nonaccrual until performance can be verified, which usually requires six months of performance under the restructured loan terms. We are optimistic that some of these credits will rehabilitate and be upgraded versus migrating to nonperforming or OREO prospectively. Accruing restructured loans totaled $28.2 million at June 30, 2014 compared to $29.6 million at June 30, 2013, with a $2.7 million decline in accruing TDR commercial real estate mortgages the primary cause. The tables below set forth details related to nonaccrual and restructured loans.

 

   Nonaccrual Loans   Accruing 
June 30, 2014  Non-   Per-       Restructured 
(Dollars in thousands)  Current   forming   Total   Loans 
Construction & land development                    
Residential  $403   $41   $444   $2,020 
Commercial   197    0    197    0 
Individuals   15    367    382    213 
    615    408    1,023    2,233 
Residential real estate mortgages   1,409    15,098    16,507    13,943 
Commercial real estate mortgages   901    2,851    3,752    11,458 
Real estate loans   2,925    18,357    21,282    27,634 
Commercial and financial   0    10    10    150 
Consumer   0    453    453    373 
   $2,925   $18,820   $21,745   $28,157 

 

At June 30, 2014 and 2013, total TDRs (performing and nonperforming) were comprised of the following loans by type of modification:

 

   2014   2013 
(Dollars in thousands)  Number   Amount   Number   Amount 
Rate reduction   111   $21,782    118   $21,112 
Maturity extended with change in terms   75    9,887    85    16,198 
Forgiveness of principal   1    1,688    1    1,838 
Chapter 7 bankruptcies   57    3,505    58    2,855 
Not elsewhere classified   10    3,371    9    4,374 
    254   $40,233    271   $46,377 

 

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During the first and second quarter of 2014, newly identified TDRs totaled $0.4 million and $4.9 million, respectively, compared to $10.7 million for all of 2013. During the second quarter of 2014, a single commercial credit of $4.3 million was transferred from nonaccrual loans to TDRs. During 2013, newly identified TDRs trended lower, with $4.4 million, $4.1 million, $1.7 million and $0.5 million recorded in the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2013, respectively. Loan modifications are not reported in calendar years after modification if the loans were modified at an interest rate equal to the yields of new loan originations with comparable risk and the loans are performing based on the terms of the restructuring agreements. No accruing loans that were restructured within the twelve months preceding June 30, 2014 defaulted during the six months ended June 30, 2014, compared to $72,000 for the first six months of 2013. A restructured loan is considered in default when it becomes 60 days or more past due under the modified terms, has been transferred to nonaccrual status, or has been transferred to other real estate owned.

 

At June 30, 2014, loans totaling 49,902,000 were considered impaired (comprised of total nonaccrual and TDRs) and $4,693,000 of the allowance for loan losses was allocated for potential losses on these loans, compared to $62,878,000 and $5,359,000, respectively, at June 30, 2013.

 

In accordance with regulatory reporting requirements, loans are placed on nonaccrual following the Retail Classification of Loan interagency guidance.  Typically loans 90 days or more past due are reviewed for impairment, and if deemed impaired, are placed on nonaccrual.  Once impaired, the current fair market value of the collateral is assessed and a specific reserve and/or charge-off taken.  Quarterly thereafter, the loan carrying value is analyzed and any changes are appropriately made as described above.

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

Total cash and cash equivalents decreased $37.6 million during the first six months of 2014. Increases to cash included the receipt of $24.6 million for the issuance of common stock and $2.8 million in net cash provided from operations. More than offsetting, and decreasing cash and cash equivalents, net maturities, sales and purchases of securities utilized $23.6 million, aggregate deposit and repurchase agreement decreased $10.2 million, and new loans net of principal repayments totaled $32.4 million.

 

SECURITIES

 

At June 30, 2014, the Company had no trading securities, had $518,353,000 in securities available for sale (76.8 percent of the total portfolio) and had $156,498,000 in securities held for investment (23.2 percent of the total portfolio). The Company’s total securities portfolio increased slightly, by $2.0 million or 0.3 percent from June 30, 2013. At the end of May 2014, the Company moved a portion of its available for sale portfolio to held to maturity in the belief that a steepened yield curve would reduce their fair value. The Company has the ability to hold these securities to maturity.

 

As part of the Company’s interest rate risk management process, an average duration for the securities portfolio is targeted. In addition, securities are acquired which return principal monthly that can be reinvested. Agency and private label mortgage backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations comprise $636,218,000 of total securities, approximately 94.3 percent of the portfolio. Remaining securities are largely comprised of U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agency securities and tax-exempt bonds issued by states, counties and municipalities.

 

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The effective duration of the investment portfolio at June 30, 2014 was 3.8 years, compared to a year ago when the duration was 4.3 years. Duration increased in 2013 due to a steeper yield curve as interest rates increased approximately 80 to 100 basis points for 5 and 10 year maturities in 2013. The Company’s investments do not extend beyond an average duration of 5.0 years if interest rates increase in the future. Management believes the effective average duration of the portfolio will decline to 3.0 years over 2014 if the yield curve remains unchanged.

 

At June 30, 2014, available for sale securities had gross losses of $7,732,000 and gross gains of $4,780,000, compared to gross losses of $20,003,000 and gross gains of $3,156,000 at December 31, 2013. All of the securities with unrealized losses are reviewed for other-than-temporary impairment at least quarterly. As a result of these reviews during the first and second quarters of 2014 and all four quarters of 2013, it was determined that none of the securities with unrealized losses were not other than temporarily impaired and the Company has the intent and ability to retain these securities until recovery over the periods presented (see additional discussion under “Critical Accounting Estimates–Fair Value Measurements”).

 

Company management considers the overall quality of the securities portfolio to be high. The Company has no exposure to securities with subprime collateral. The Company holds no interests in trust preferred securities.

 

DEPOSITS AND BORROWINGS

 

The Company’s balance sheet continues to be primarily core funded. The Company continues to utilize a focused retail and commercial deposit growth strategy that has successfully generated core deposit relationships and increased services per household.

 

Total deposits increased $66,928,000, or 3.8 percent, to $1,805,537,000 at June 30, 2014 compared to one year earlier. Declining single service time deposits have been more than offset by increasing low cost or no cost deposits. Since June 30, 2013, interest bearing deposits (NOW, savings and money markets deposits) increased $64,271,000 or 6.6 percent to $1,037,506,000, noninterest bearing demand deposits increased $41,281,000 or 8.8 percent to $509,798,000, and CDs decreased $38,624,000 or 13.0 percent to $258,233,000.

 

Securities sold under repurchase agreements decreased over the past twelve months by $19,272,000 or 12.0 percent to $141,662,000 at June 30, 2014. Repurchase agreements are offered by Seacoast National to select customers who wish to sweep excess balances on a daily basis for investment purposes. Funds from local government entities comprise a significant amount of the outstanding balance, with safety a major concern for these customers. At June 30, 2014, the number of sweep repurchase accounts was 118, compared to 142 a year ago.

 

At June 30, 2014, other borrowings were comprised of subordinated debt of $53.6 million related to trust preferred securities issued by trusts organized by the Company, and advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of $50.0 million. The FHLB advances mature in 2017. For 2014 and 2013, the weighted average cost of our FHLB advances was 3.22 percent, unchanged.

 

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The Company has two wholly owned trust subsidiaries, SBCF Capital Trust I and SBCF Statutory Trust II that were both formed in 2005. In 2007, the Company formed an additional wholly owned trust subsidiary, SBCF Statutory Trust III. The 2005 trusts each issued $20.0 million (totaling $40.0 million) of trust preferred securities and the 2007 trust issued an additional $12.0 million in trust preferred securities. All trust preferred securities are guaranteed by the Company on a junior subordinated basis. The Federal Reserve’s rules permit qualified trust preferred securities and other restricted capital elements to be included as Tier 1 capital up to 25 percent of core capital, net of goodwill and intangibles. The Company believes that its trust preferred securities qualify under these revised regulatory capital rules (including Basel III) and expects that it will be able to treat all $52.0 million of trust preferred securities as Tier 1 capital. For regulatory purposes, the trust preferred securities are added to the Company’s tangible common shareholders’ equity to calculate Tier 1 capital. The weighted average interest rate of our outstanding subordinated debt related to trust preferred securities was 1.71 percent during the first six months of 2014, compared to 1.74 percent for all of 2013.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET TRANSACTIONS

 

In the normal course of business, we may engage in a variety of financial transactions that, under generally accepted accounting principles, either are not recorded on the balance sheet or are recorded on the balance sheet in amounts that differ from the full contract or notional amounts. These transactions involve varying elements of market, credit and liquidity risk.

 

Lending commitments include unfunded loan commitments and standby and commercial letters of credit. A large majority of loan commitments and standby letters of credit expire without being funded, and accordingly, total contractual amounts are not representative of our actual future credit exposure or liquidity requirements. Loan commitments and letters of credit expose the Company to credit risk in the event that the customer draws on the commitment and subsequently fails to perform under the terms of the lending agreement.

 

Loan commitments to customers are made in the normal course of our commercial and retail lending businesses. For commercial customers, loan commitments generally take the form of revolving credit arrangements. For retail customers, loan commitments generally are lines of credit secured by residential property. These instruments are not recorded on the balance sheet until funds are advanced under the commitment. For loan commitments, the contractual amount of a commitment represents the maximum potential credit risk that could result if the entire commitment had been funded, the borrower had not performed according to the terms of the contract, and no collateral had been provided. Loan commitments were $159 million at June 30, 2014 and $155 million at June 30, 2013.

 

INTEREST RATE SENSITIVITY

 

Fluctuations in interest rates may result in changes in the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments, cash flows and net interest income. This risk is managed using simulation modeling to calculate the most likely interest rate risk utilizing estimated loan and deposit growth. The objective is to optimize the Company’s financial position, liquidity, and net interest income while limiting their volatility.

 

Senior management regularly reviews the overall interest rate risk position and evaluates strategies to manage the risk. The Company’s most recent Asset and Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) model simulation indicates net interest income would increase 7.5 percent if interest rates are shocked 200 basis points up over the next 12 months and 4.1 percent if interest rates are shocked up 100 basis points. This compares with the Company’s second quarter 2013 model simulation, which indicated net interest income would increase 6.3 percent if interest rates are shocked 200 basis points up over the next 12 months and 3.9 percent if interest rates are shocked up 100 basis points. Recent regulatory guidance has placed more emphasis on rate shocks.

 

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The Company had a positive gap position based on contractual and prepayment assumptions for the next 12 months, with a positive cumulative interest rate sensitivity gap as a percentage of total earning assets of 9.6 percent at June 30, 2014. This result includes assumptions for core deposit re-pricing validated for the Company by an independent third party consulting group.

 

The computations of interest rate risk do not necessarily include certain actions management may undertake to manage this risk in response to changes in interest rates. Derivative financial instruments, such as interest rate swaps, options, caps, floors, futures and forward contracts may be utilized as components of the Company’s risk management profile.

 

LIQUIDITY MANAGEMENT

 

Liquidity risk involves the risk of being unable to fund assets with the appropriate duration and rate-based liability, as well as the risk of not being able to meet unexpected cash needs. Liquidity planning and management are necessary to ensure the ability to fund operations cost effectively and to meet current and future potential obligations such as loan commitments and unexpected deposit outflows.

 

Funding sources primarily include customer-based core deposits, collateral-backed borrowings, cash flows from operations, and asset securitizations and sales.

 

Cash flows from operations are a significant component of liquidity risk management and we consider both deposit maturities and the scheduled cash flows from loan and investment maturities and payments. Deposits are also a primary source of liquidity. The stability of this funding source is affected by numerous factors, including returns available to customers on alternative investments, the quality of customer service levels, safety and competitive forces. We routinely use securities and loans as collateral for secured borrowings. In the event of severe market disruptions, we have access to secured borrowings through the FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta under its borrower-in-custody program.

 

Contractual maturities for assets and liabilities are reviewed to meet current and expected future liquidity requirements. Sources of liquidity, both anticipated and unanticipated, are maintained through a portfolio of high quality marketable assets, such as residential mortgage loans, securities held for sale and interest bearing deposits. The Company is also able to provide short term financing of its activities by selling, under an agreement to repurchase, United States Treasury and Government agency securities not pledged to secure public deposits or trust funds. At June 30, 2014, Seacoast National had available unsecured lines of $45 million and lines of credit under current lendable collateral value, which are subject to change, of $623 million. Seacoast National had $390 million of United States Treasury and Government agency securities, mortgage backed securities and collateral lending obligations not pledged and available for use under repurchase agreements, and had an additional $163 million in residential and commercial real estate loans available as collateral. In comparison, at June 30, 2013, the Company had available unsecured lines of $30 million and lines of credit of $536 million, and had $419 million of Treasury and Government agency securities, mortgage backed securities and collateral lending obligations not pledged and available for use under repurchase agreements, as well as an additional $169 million in residential and commercial real estate loans available as collateral.

 

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Liquidity, as measured in the form of cash and cash equivalents (including interest bearing deposits), totaled $154,030,000 on a consolidated basis at June 30, 2014 as compared to $140,119,000 at June 30, 2013. The composition of cash and cash equivalents has changed from a year ago. Over the past twelve months, cash and due from banks increased $6,502,000 to $40,175,000 and interest bearing deposits increased to $113,855,000 from $106,446,000. The interest bearing deposits are maintained in Seacoast National’s account at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Cash and cash equivalents vary with seasonal deposit movements and are generally higher in the winter than in the summer, and vary with the level of principal repayments and investment activity occurring in Seacoast National’s securities and loan portfolios. Our intent has been to reinvest excess liquidity into our loan and securities portfolios, as market opportunities and conditions meet expectations.

 

The Company does not rely on and is not dependent on off-balance sheet financing or wholesale funding.

 

The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from Seacoast National and its other subsidiaries. Various legal limitations, including Section 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and Federal Reserve Regulation W, restrict Seacoast National from lending or otherwise supplying funds to the Company or its non-bank subsidiaries. The Company has traditionally relied upon dividends from Seacoast National and securities offerings to provide funds to pay the Company’s expenses, to service the Company’s debt and to pay dividends upon Company common stock and preferred stock. During the third quarter of 2013, formal regulatory agreements with the OCC were removed, thereby allowing Seacoast National to pay dividends to the Company without prior OCC approval. At June 30, 2014, the Company had cash and cash equivalents at the parent of approximately $25.4 million, compared to $5.1 million at June 30, 2013. Remaining funds of $25 million from CapGen Capital for the fourth quarter 2013 common stock offering were received on January 13, 2014, after regulatory approval of CapGen’s investment. These funds were the primary contributor to the increase in the parent’s cash and cash equivalents, compared to year-end 2013.

 

EFFECTS OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements and related financial data presented herein have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars, without considering changes in the relative purchasing power of money, over time, due to inflation.

 

Unlike most industrial companies, virtually all of the assets and liabilities of a financial institution are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on a financial institution’s performance than the general level of inflation. However, inflation affects financial institutions by increasing their cost of goods and services purchased, as well as the cost of salaries and benefits, occupancy expense, and similar items. Inflation and related increases in interest rates generally decrease the market value of investments and loans held and may adversely affect liquidity, earnings, and shareholders’ equity. Mortgage originations and re-financings tend to slow as interest rates increase, and higher interest rates likely will reduce the Company’s earnings from such activities and the income from the sale of residential mortgage loans in the secondary market.

 

SPECIAL CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Various of the statements made herein under the captions “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk”, “Risk Factors” and elsewhere, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning and protections of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

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Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control, and which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Seacoast to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You should not expect us to update any forward-looking statements.

 

All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements through our use of words such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “should,” “support”, “indicate,” “would,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” “further”, “point to,” “project,” “could,” “intend” or other similar words and expressions of the future. These forward-looking statements may not be realized due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation:

 

the effects of future economic and market conditions, including seasonality;

 

governmental monetary and fiscal policies, as well as legislative, tax and regulatory changes;

 

legislative and regulatory changes, including changes in banking, securities and tax laws and regulations and their application by our regulators, and changes in the scope and cost of FDIC insurance and other coverage;

 

changes in accounting policies, rules and practices;

 

the risks of changes in interest rates on the level and composition of deposits, loan demand, liquidity and the values of loan collateral, securities, and interest sensitive assets and liabilities; interest rate risks, sensitivities and the shape of the yield curve;

 

the effects of competition from other commercial banks, thrifts, mortgage banking firms, consumer finance companies, credit unions, securities brokerage firms, insurance companies, money market and other mutual funds and other financial institutions operating in our market areas and elsewhere, including institutions operating regionally, nationally and internationally, together with such competitors offering banking products and services by mail, telephone, computer and the Internet;

 

the failure of assumptions underlying the establishment of reserves for possible loan losses;

 

the risks of mergers and acquisitions, include, without limitation, unexpected transaction costs, including the costs of integrating operations; the risks that the businesses will not be integrated successfully or that such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected;

 

the potential failure to fully or timely realize expected revenues and revenue synergies, including as the result of revenues following the merger being lower than expected;

 

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the risk of deposit and customer attrition; any changes in deposit mix; unexpected operating and other costs, which may differ or change from expectations;

 

the risks of customer and employee loss and business disruption, including, without limitation, as the result of difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees; increased competitive pressures and solicitations of customers by competitors; as well as the difficulties and risks inherent with entering new markets; and

 

other risks and uncertainties described herein and in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and otherwise in our Securities and Exchange Commission, or “SEC”, reports and filings.

 

All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. We have no obligation and do not undertake to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this report, or after the respective dates on which such statements otherwise are made.

 

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Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

See Management’s discussion and analysis “Interest Rate Sensitivity”.

 

Market risk refers to potential losses arising from changes in interest rates, and other relevant market rates or prices.

 

Interest rate risk, defined as the exposure of net interest income and Economic Value of Equity, or “EVE,” to adverse movements in interest rates, is the Company’s primary market risk, and mainly arises from the structure of the balance sheet (non-trading activities). The Company is also exposed to market risk in its investing activities. The Company’s Asset/Liability Committee, or “ALCO,” meets regularly and is responsible for reviewing the interest rate sensitivity position of the Company and establishing policies to monitor and limit exposure to interest rate risk. The policies established by the ALCO are reviewed and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. The primary goal of interest rate risk management is to control exposure to interest rate risk, within policy limits approved by the Board. These limits reflect the Company’s tolerance for interest rate risk over short-term and long-term horizons.

 

The Company also performs valuation analyses, which are used for evaluating levels of risk present in the balance sheet that might not be taken into account in the net interest income simulation analyses. Whereas net interest income simulation highlights exposures over a relatively short time horizon, valuation analysis incorporates all cash flows over the estimated remaining life of all balance sheet positions. The valuation of the balance sheet, at a point in time, is defined as the discounted present value of asset cash flows minus the discounted value of liability cash flows, the net result of which is the EVE. The sensitivity of EVE to changes in the level of interest rates is a measure of the longer-term re-pricing risks and options risks embedded in the balance sheet. In contrast to the net interest income simulation, which assumes interest rates will change over a period of time, EVE uses instantaneous changes in rates.

 

EVE values only the current balance sheet, and does not incorporate the growth assumptions that are used in the net interest income simulation model. As with the net interest income simulation model, assumptions about the timing and variability of balance sheet cash flows are critical in the EVE analysis. Particularly important are the assumptions driving prepayments and the expected changes in balances and pricing of the indeterminate life deposit portfolios. Core deposits are a more significant funding source for the Company, making the lives attached to core deposits more important to the accuracy of our modeling of EVE. The Company periodically reassesses its assumptions regarding the indeterminate lives of core deposits utilizing an independent third party resource to assist. With lower interest rates over a prolonged period, the average lives of core deposits have trended higher and favorably impacted model estimates of EVE for higher rates. Based on our second quarter 2014 modeling, an instantaneous 100 basis point increase in rates is estimated to increase the EVE 8.7 percent versus the EVE in a stable rate environment, while a 200 basis point increase in rates is estimated to increase the EVE 14.7 percent.

 

While an instantaneous and severe shift in interest rates is used in this analysis to provide an estimate of exposure under an extremely adverse scenario, a gradual shift in interest rates would have a much more modest impact. Since EVE measures the discounted present value of cash flows over the estimated lives of instruments, the change in EVE does not directly correlate to the degree that earnings would be impacted over a shorter time horizon, i.e., the next fiscal year. Further, EVE does not take into account factors such as future balance sheet growth, changes in product mix, change in yield curve relationships, and changing product spreads that could mitigate the adverse impact of changes in interest rates.

 

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Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e)). Based on that evaluation and the identification of the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting as described below, the CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

 

During the fourth quarter of 2013, management concluded that there was a material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting because the Company did not have a control designed to provide for an effective review of the accounting for previously recorded charge-offs, a non-routine matter, related to a mature troubled debt restructured loan.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

As reported in our 2013 Annual Report, management conducted a thorough and methodical evaluation and testing of our internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, which resulted in the identification of one material control weakness. Management has revised the existing processes surrounding this material weakness and changes have been implemented but have not yet been fully tested. The Company believes the steps taken to remediate the weakness are appropriate and the Company expects the weakness to be fully remediated and tested before the end of the Company’s fiscal year. Notwithstanding this material weakness, management believes, the consolidated financial statements included in this report fairly present, in all material respects, the Company’s financial position, results of operation and cash flows for the period presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP.

 

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Part II OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject, in the ordinary course, to litigation incident to the business in which they are engaged. Management presently believes that none of the legal proceedings to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their property is the subject are materially likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, or operating results or cash flows, although no assurance can be given with respect to the ultimate outcome of any such claim or litigation.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should consider the factors discussed in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, which could materially affect our business, financial condition and prospective results. The risks described in this report, in our Form 10-K or our other SEC filings are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or future results. There have been no material changes with respect to the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Issuer purchases of equity securities during the first and second quarters of 2014 were as follows:

 

               Maximum 
   Total       Total Number of   Number of 
   Number of       Shares Purchased   Shares that May 
   Shares   Average Price   as part of Public   yet be Purchased 
Period  Purchased   Paid Per Share   Announced Plan*   Under the Plan 
1/1/14 to 1/31/14   906   $12.20    152,901    12,099 
2/1/14 to 2/28/14   49    10.78    152,950    12,050 
3/1/14 to 3/31/14   1,553    11.00    154,503    10,497 
Total - 1st Quarter   2,508    11.43    154,503    10,497 
                     
4/1/14 to 4/30/14   355    11.15    154,858    10,142 
5/1/14 to 5/31/14*   135    10.56    154,993    260,007 
6/1/14 to 6/30/14   2,125    10.50    157,118    257,882 
Total - 2nd Quarter   2,615    10.59    157,118    257,882 

 

 

* The plan to purchase equity securities totaling 165,000 shares was approved on September 18, 2001, with no expiration date. An additional 250,000 shares was added to the plan and approved on May 20, 2014.

 

Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities

 

None

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

None

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

During the period covered by this report, there was no information required to be disclosed by us in a Current Report on Form 8-K that was not so reported, nor were there any material changes to the procedures by which our security holders may recommend nominees to our Board of Directors.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit 31.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 31.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32.1 Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32.2 Statement of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 101 The following materials from Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (iv) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

  SEACOAST BANKING CORPORATION OF FLORIDA
   
August 11, 2014 /s/ Dennis S. Hudson, III
  DENNIS S. HUDSON, III
  Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
   
August 11, 2014 /s/ William R. Hahl
  WILLIAM R. HAHL
  Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

 

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